Ranya, 33, was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March when she arrived from Dubai.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement
The Additional City Civil and Sessions Court on Thursday (March 27, 2025) rejected the bail plea of actor Ranya Rao, who is termed as the prime accused in the gold smuggling case, cracked by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials on March 3. This is the second time Ms. Ranya’s bail plea has been rejected, which gives her the option of approaching the Karnataka High Court now.
The CCH-64 LXIII Additional City Civil and Sessions judge passed the order after hearing arguments from Ranya’s counsel and objections by the DRI citing her direct involvement and strong evidence in the racket.
Ranya is currently lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru under judicial custody till April 7.
On March 3, Ranya, 33, was arrested at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru when she arrived from Dubai. DRI officials alleged that she had concealed 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore on her person. Based on her mobile phone and laptop analysis, the officials arrested one more person, Tarun Raju, on March 9.
Meanwhile, the DRI has sought time to file objections to a bail application moved by Tarun, the second suspect and Ranya’s close associate, before the sessions court.
The court has adjourned the hearing to March 29, after the DRI counsel sought more time to file objections.
Published – March 27, 2025 05:35 pm IST