Karnataka High Court Hears Petition Challenging Actress Ranya Rao's Detention
Legal Challenge Against Detention
The mother of Kannada actress Ranya Rao has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Karnataka High Court, contesting the legality of her daughter's detention in a gold smuggling case. Ranya Rao was granted bail by a special court for economic offenses on May 20; however, she remains in custody due to a separate case filed under the Foreign Exchange Management Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA). She was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai. Reports indicate that during a thorough personal search, gold bars were concealed around her waist and calves using straps and tissue. Additional gold bars and cut pieces were also discovered in her shoes and front pockets. The seized gold is reported to be of 24-carat purity, valued at over ₹12.56 crores. Ranya Rao faces charges under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act.
Court Proceedings and Bail Conditions
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath mentioned that objections in the case had already been filed. Consequently, the court postponed the proceedings until June 18. Last month, Ranya Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju were granted bail by a special court for economic offenses. They were required to present two sureties and submit a bond of ₹2 lakhs each. The bail was granted under the condition that the accused would not leave the country and would refrain from repeating the offense. The bail was issued after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence failed to submit the charge sheet within the stipulated time frame, as ordered by Justice Vishwanath C. Gowda.
Preventive Detention Under COFEPOSA
Meanwhile, due to the COFEPOSA allegations, Ranya Rao is being held in preventive custody, as this law empowers authorities to detain individuals suspected of engaging in smuggling or activities detrimental to the protection of foreign exchange.