Did the Gold Smuggling Case Lead to Bail for Actress Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a pivotal ruling, the Special Court in Bengaluru has granted conditional bail to actress Ranya Rao and her co-accused Tarun Raju in a high-profile gold smuggling case. This development raises significant questions about the legal proceedings and implications of the case, promising to capture public interest as it unfolds.
Key Takeaways
- Conditional bail granted to Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju.
- Accused must appear for all hearings.
- Prohibited from leaving the country without permission.
- COFEPOSA Act invoked against Ranya Rao.
- Next hearing scheduled for June 2.
Bengaluru, May 20 (NationPress) In a significant turn of events, the Special Court for Economic Offences in Bengaluru has issued conditional bail to the imprisoned actress Ranya Rao on Tuesday.
Additionally, the court has granted bail to the second accused, Tarun Raju, approving his bail application.
The defendants argued for bail based on the failure of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to submit the charge sheet against them even after a period of 60 days.
Upon reviewing their request, the court has decided to grant bail.
The court has instructed the accused to refrain from leaving the country without prior court approval.
The case has been postponed until June 2.
Senior attorney Girish represented Ranya Rao during the proceedings.
The court mandated that the accused individuals provide surety from two persons and also submit a bond of Rs 2 lakh each.
It was ruled that the applications filed by the accused under Section 187(3)(ii) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Act were accepted.
The court has instructed both Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju to appear before it on all scheduled hearing dates.
Additionally, they are directed not to interfere with or intimidate prosecution witnesses and to fully cooperate with the Investigating Officer's inquiries.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior police officer Ramchandra Rao, was apprehended on March 3 for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold, valued at over Rs 12.56 crore.
Ranya Rao and two other accused in this case are currently held at the Bengaluru Central Prison.
On May 13, the Karnataka High Court instructed the Union government to submit its objections within two weeks regarding Ranya Rao's petition challenging the invocation of the COFEPOSA Act in connection with the gold smuggling allegations.
The Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA), has been applied against Ranya Rao.
The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), a key agency under the Ministry of Finance, has invoked the COFEPOSA Act based on the recommendations of the DRI, which is investigating the case.
The bench has ordered the Central government to file its objections within a two-week timeframe and has put off the matter until June 3.
A vacation bench consisting of Justice H.P. Sandesh and Justice Ramachandra Huddar issued these directions while reviewing Ranya Rao's petition seeking to declare the imposition of the COFEPOSA Act against her as illegal and 'void ab initio' (invalid from the outset).
In legal terminology, 'void ab initio' signifies that a contract, agreement, or other action is deemed invalid and has no legal impact from the moment of its creation.
Ranya Rao contended that her constitutional rights have been violated, asserting that the reasons for her detention are flawed and showcase a lack of proper consideration.
Point of View
We remain committed to delivering unbiased news, ensuring that our reporting reflects the truth of the situation while respecting legal processes. The grant of bail to Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in legal proceedings, particularly in high-profile cases such as this one.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basis for the bail granted to Ranya Rao?
The bail was granted primarily due to the non-submission of the charge sheet by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) within the stipulated 60 days.
What are the conditions set by the court for the accused?
The court has instructed the accused not to leave the country without prior permission and to appear for all hearing dates. They must also provide surety and a bond of Rs 2 lakh each.
What is the COFEPOSA Act and why is it relevant to this case?
The COFEPOSA Act, enacted in 1974, aims to prevent smuggling and conserve foreign exchange. It has been invoked against Ranya Rao in connection with the gold smuggling allegations.
What are the implications of the court's decision?
The decision to grant bail could influence public perception of the legal proceedings and may affect the investigation into the gold smuggling case.
When is the next hearing scheduled?
The next hearing is set for June 2, where further developments in the case will be addressed.
