Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case Hearing: Court grants time for the DRI to file its objections

Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who has been facing heat due to her involvement in a high-profile gold smuggling case, has filed a fresh bail petition with the Sessions Court as per the latest developments. This move comes after her initial bail request was rejected by a lower court, citing the seriousness of the charges against her. The hearing for the new petition is set for today, March 17, at 3 PM.
Ranya Rao's legal team has now approached the Sessions Court with a fresh bail application. This move is part of their strategy to secure her release from judicial custody.
Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were found in her possession. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted her upon her return from Dubai, where she had traveled 27 times since January 2025. Subsequent searches at her residence uncovered additional gold jewelry valued at Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash.
The Special Court for Economic Offenses rejected Rao's initial bail plea. The court noted that Rao's actions posed a significant threat to the country's economy and national security. Her frequent travel to Dubai and the method of smuggling gold further strengthened the case against her.

The investigation has revealed that Rao, the stepdaughter of Karnataka DGP Ramchandra Rao, allegedly used a State Police Protocol Officer to bypass security checks at the airport. This suggests the potential police involvement and corruption.
Following Ranya's arrest, Ramachandra Rao stated that he was a "heartbroken parent" and claimed to have learned about her arrest only through media reports. He stated that he was unaware of her alleged activities, as she had been living separately after her recent marriage.
Ranya Rao has alleged that she was assaulted and coerced by DRI officials into signing documents. She claims she was slapped multiple times and forced to sign blank and typed papers, despite maintaining her innocence.
BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal made a controversial remarks about Ranya Rao. He also claimed that state ministers are involved in the case and vowed to expose them in the Assembly.
According to Karnataka Bar and Bench, the Karnataka High Court has extended the interim order on Monday, advising the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) not to proceed hastily regarding the arrest of Jatin Vijaykumar Hukkeri, husband of actress Ranya Rao, who has been detained in connection with a gold smuggling case. The court has also granted time for the DRI to file its objections.