Gold Smuggling Case: Bail Hearing for Ranya Rao Postponed to March 19; High Court Offers Protection to Husband

Bengaluru, March 17 (NationPress) A court in Bengaluru has postponed the hearing on the bail application of incarcerated actress Ranya Rao, who was detained in relation to the gold smuggling case, until March 19.

Ranya Rao filed her bail plea with the city’s Civil and Sessions Court on Monday after the Special Court for Economic Offences denied her request on March 14.

The court has instructed the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to submit objections by March 19.

In another development, the Karnataka High Court has taken up the petition of Ranya Rao’s husband, Jatin Hukkeri, and has ordered the DRI not to pursue any punitive measures against him without adhering to proper legal protocols. The case is scheduled for further hearing on March 24.

On March 11, the Karnataka High Court granted Jatin Hukkeri immunity from arrest.

The ruling was made by a bench led by Justice Hemanth Chandanagoudar. Senior attorney Prabhuling Navadgi represented Jatin Hukkeri. The DRI's counsel indicated that objections would be provided to the court regarding the relief on March 24.

Attorney Navadgi asserted that Jatin had no connection to the gold smuggling case and is fully cooperating with the investigation. He expressed concerns that DRI officials might detain Jatin in violation of Supreme Court guidelines.

In his court petition, Jatin claimed that differences arose between him and Ranya Rao within a month of their marriage. His attorney also informed the court that although Jatin married Ranya Rao in November, they informally separated by December.

Since Ranya Rao booked her flight ticket using her husband Jatin's credit card, the DRI conducted a raid on his home and interrogated him for several hours, suspecting his involvement in the case. Fearing arrest, Jatin sought relief from the High Court.

Actress Rao was apprehended for her involvement in gold smuggling and for allegedly misusing her father’s name, DGP Ramachandra Rao, to bypass security checks by utilizing protocols meant for high-ranking officials.

The DRI officials arrested Ranya Rao after confiscating 14.8 kg of gold from her at Bengaluru International Airport.

The agency also seized gold worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her luxurious Lavelle Road apartment, where she reportedly paid a rent of Rs 4.5 lakh.

Karnataka DGP for the State Police Housing Corporation, Ramachandra Rao, expressed his devastation over the arrest of his stepdaughter, Ranya Rao, stating he was caught off guard by this incident.

On March 15, the Karnataka government placed DGP K. Ramachandra Rao on mandatory leave effective immediately and until further notice in relation to the gold smuggling case.

DGP Rao was serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.

Ranya Rao remains incarcerated in the gold smuggling case.

The Karnataka government has tasked senior IAS officer Gaurav Gupta, the Additional Chief Secretary, with launching an immediate investigation against DGP Ramachandra Rao.

DGP Rao is required to appear before Gupta for questioning in the near future.

In addition to the DRI, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are also investigating the case.

Accused actress Ranya Rao has claimed that DRI officials physically assaulted her during custody, demanding that she sign statements while threatening to “expose” her stepfather, DGP K. Ramachandra Rao.