NEW DELHI: A Bengaluru Special Court for Economic Offences has reserved its verdict on Kannada actress Ranya Rao’s bail plea in the gold smuggling case, with the judgment expected on March 14.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kiran Javali, representing Rao, argued that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to follow due legal procedures during her arrest and questioning. He claimed the arrest memo did not explicitly mention the “grounds of arrest,” violating the Supreme Court’s DK Basu guidelines. Javali contended that such lapses warrant bail, irrespective of the severity of the allegations.
The DRI, opposing the bail, emphasized the gravity of the charges against Rao, who was arrested at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 with 14 kg of gold. Prosecutors argued that releasing her could disrupt the ongoing investigation and lead to evidence tampering or witness intimidation.
Ranya Rao has alleged mistreatment during her detention, claiming DRI officials verbally abused her and pressured her into signing documents without proper consent. The DRI, however, dismissed these claims, asserting that all protocols were followed lawfully.
The agency also revealed that Rao had managed to clear immigration and the Green Channel with assistance from the State Protocol Office before being intercepted just outside the airport exit. This has raised serious concerns over the involvement of state officials in the smuggling racket.
Meanwhile, a fresh controversy erupted after the Karnataka government withdrew its approval for a CID probe into the alleged police escort provided to Rao at the airport. Sources suggest the abrupt U-turn came under pressure from influential circles, fearing revelations from a police constable who was intercepted while escorting Rao could implicate senior officials.
The state home department defended the move, stating that a separate probe led by senior IAS officer and Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta was already underway to examine the role of the state protocol wing and DGP Ramachandra Rao, Ranya’s father.
Basavaraj, a head constable from the airport police station, told the CBI on Tuesday that he had merely followed “oral instructions from senior IPS officers” regarding receiving and dropping off their family members at the airport. However, he denied any knowledge of the gold smuggling. Investigators are now probing who exactly ordered Basavaraj to escort Rao during her travels.
The CBI has already questioned Basavaraj and two other officials in an attempt to reconstruct the events leading up to Rao’s arrest. Sources indicate that the actress had directly contacted the constable before her arrival from Dubai, suggesting a prior arrangement.
Public prosecutor Madhu N Rao, representing the DRI, reiterated the agency’s firm stance against granting bail. “We oppose the bail petition since it is a matter of national security. The accused is not cooperating with us. The incident indicates that an established syndicate is working behind (gold smuggling), and we have to investigate the hawala angle, too,” he said.
The DRI has also summoned the protocol officer who allegedly assisted Rao. Additionally, the agency revealed that the actress holds a UAE resident identity card, adding another layer to the investigation.