Bengaluru court rejects bail plea of Tarun Raju in Ranya Rao's gold smuggling case

NEW DELHI: A special court in Bengaluru on Wednesday denied the bail application of Telugu actor Tarun Konduru Raju, who was arrested on March 10 in connection with a gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao.
The Economic Offences Court rejected the bail plea of Tarun Raju, who is the second accused in the case. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had opposed his bail, arguing that he might attempt to flee the country if released. The agency also pointed out that Raju had allegedly tried to leave the country after Ranya Rao’s arrest, leading to a lookout circular being issued against him.
Authorities allege that Raju played a crucial role in facilitating the smuggling operation by managing the logistics of gold transportation and distribution within India.
Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, was arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Authorities seized 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from her possession. She is the stepdaughter of Karnataka IPS officer DGP K Ramachandra Rao.
Ranya is the stepdaughter of K Ramachandra Rao, a DGP-rank officer serving as the managing director of Karnataka state police housing and infrastructure development corporation.
Following her arrest, a search at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.