The Karnataka High Court has postponed the bail hearing for Harshavardini Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju, accused of gold smuggling, until Monday, April 21.

BENGALURU: The Karnataka high court on Thursday adjourned the hearing to Monday (April 21) regarding the bail petitions filed by Harshavardini Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju, accused No. 1 and 2 in the gold smuggling case registered by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Justice S. Vishwajith Shetty also directed the DRI to file their statement of objections without fail by the next date of hearing.
The case was adjourned after the counsel for the DRI sought more time to file the statement of objections, explaining that the signature of the investigating officer could not be obtained, thus preventing the filing of the statement.
Senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, representing Ranya Rao, submitted that the seizure and arrest of the petitioner were vitiated due to non-adherence to the provisions of the Customs Act.
He further claimed discrepancies in the documents submitted before the magistrate and sessions courts regarding the seizure, arrest, and signatures of the witnesses.
He added that the offences alleged are compoundable in nature and triable by a magistrate, and that Ranya Rao has been in custody for the past 45 days. On March 27, 2025, the sessions court had rejected Ranya’s bail petition. Prior to that, on March 14, 2025, the Special Court for Economic Offences, Bengaluru, had also refused bail to her.
It may be recalled that Ranya Rao, arraigned as accused No. 1, was intercepted and apprehended around 6:30 pm on March 3, 2025, following credible information that she was carrying smuggled gold.
Authorities recovered gold weighing 14,213.05 grams, valued at Rs. 12,56,43,362 on the said day, concealed around her waist and calf muscles using crepe bandages and tissues.
On April 7, 2025, the Special Court for Economic Offences had refused bail to Tarun Raju, a US citizen.