Why Was Ranya Rao Denied Bail for One Year?
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Synopsis
In a significant legal development, Ranya Rao's bail petition has been rejected for a year due to the COFEPOSA Act. The Advisory Board's decision underscores the gravity of her involvement in a gold smuggling case, raising questions about the implications for her future and the ongoing investigation.
Key Takeaways
- The COFEPOSA Act has been upheld against Ranya Rao.
- No bail petition can be filed for one year.
- Ranya Rao remains in custody pending further developments.
- The DRI continues to investigate the gold smuggling case.
- Legally, the implications of this case are significant for economic offenses.
Bengaluru, July 17 (NationPress) The Advisory Board operating under the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has confirmed the application of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act against the incarcerated Kannada actress Ranya Rao.
On Thursday, the board also mandated that no bail petition may be filed on behalf of Ranya Rao for a period of one year from her arrest, as stipulated by the COFEPOSA Act.
The Advisory Board instructed the DRI that no bail application should be submitted for Ranya Rao. Following these instructions, the DRI communicated this information to the prison authorities.
Previously, Ranya Rao had been granted bail by a special court. However, since the case falls under a specific law, her release did not occur.
The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), a key agency under the Ministry of Finance, invoked the COFEPOSA Act against the actress and other suspects in the gold smuggling incident, based on a recommendation from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which is conducting the investigation.
According to the provisions of the COFEPOSA Act, she must remain in custody for a maximum of one year.
On May 20, the Special Court for Economic Offences granted conditional bail to Ranya Rao and the second accused, Tarun Raju.
She had aspirations to obtain bail, particularly after her mother contested the activation of the COFEPOSA Act in court.
The accused had requested bail on the grounds that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) did not submit the charge sheet within 60 days. Considering this, the court had previously granted bail.
In light of these developments, the Advisory Board, the statutory body within the DRI, reviewed the situation and reaffirmed the use of the Special Act against Ranya Rao.
Ranya Rao was apprehended on March 3 in connection with a gold smuggling case and has been detained for over four months.
Point of View
We observe that the decision to uphold the COFEPOSA Act against Ranya Rao signifies the government's commitment to tackling smuggling activities. It emphasizes the need for stringent measures in addressing economic offenses, which have broader implications for society.
NationPress
17/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COFEPOSA Act?
The Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act is a law in India aimed at preventing smuggling and foreign exchange violations.
Why was Ranya Rao arrested?
Ranya Rao was arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case under investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
Can Ranya Rao apply for bail again?
Under the current ruling, Ranya Rao cannot apply for bail for one year as per the provisions of the COFEPOSA Act.
What did the Advisory Board decide?
The Advisory Board upheld the invocation of the COFEPOSA Act and mandated that no bail petition be filed for Ranya Rao for one year.
What are the implications of this legal decision?
This decision highlights the seriousness of the allegations and reflects the government's rigorous approach to economic offenses.
