Ranya Rao Gets Bail — In a high-profile development that has stunned Sandalwood fans and the film fraternity, Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been granted conditional bail in the multi-crore gold smuggling case. However, despite the bail order, she will remain in judicial custody due to a separate detention order under the COFEPOSA Act (Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974).
The actress, who rose to fame in Kannada cinema and is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao, was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. She was allegedly found with 14.2 kg of gold bars concealed in her jacket and body bandages — smuggled from Dubai — worth ₹12.56 crore.
Court Grants Bail with Stringent Conditions
Ranya Rao and her co-accused, Tarun Kondaraju, were granted conditional bail on Tuesday by a special court, which imposed strict conditions:
- Two sureties each
- Personal bond of ₹2 lakh
- Ban on international travel
- Mandatory appearance in all court hearings
- No tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses
- Full cooperation with investigating agencies
- No repeat of similar offenses
Any violation of these terms will lead to immediate cancellation of bail, the court stated clearly.
Still Behind Bars: COFEPOSA Preventive Detention
Despite the bail, Ranya Rao’s release remains blocked due to her preventive detention under the COFEPOSA Act. Her legal counsel, Advocate B.S. Girish, informed the court that the order under COFEPOSA, meant to curb economic offenders and smugglers, is currently in force and overrides the bail granted in the smuggling case.
Her mother has filed a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court, challenging the legality of this detention. The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on June 3, 2025.
Gold Smuggling Operation: The Shocking Details
According to DRI officials, Ranya Rao attempted to evade customs duties of over ₹4.83 crore by wrapping the foreign-origin gold bars around her body using medical bandages and inside a tailored jacket.
Investigations also revealed that she had used illegal hawala channels to finance the gold purchase in Dubai. This revelation adds a money laundering angle to the case, which could trigger action from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as well.
Her co-accused, Tarun Kondaraju, who allegedly accompanied her to Dubai, was arrested a week later on March 10, 2025. Both remain key suspects in what the DRI believes is a well-planned smuggling network.
Who Is Ranya Rao?
Ranya Rao is a noted actress in Kannada cinema, having starred in several popular films. Known for her glamorous on-screen image and celebrity status, her alleged involvement in such a serious financial crime has shocked fans and industry insiders alike.
Her family background also adds weight to the public attention, as she is closely connected to Karnataka’s police establishment through her stepfather, K. Ramachandra Rao, a senior IPS officer.
What’s Next?
The next major development in the case hinges on the Karnataka High Court’s decision on June 3, which could either uphold or strike down her detention under COFEPOSA. Until then, Ranya Rao will remain in judicial custody.
This case continues to attract nationwide attention, not just for its celebrity angle but also for the growing crackdown on economic crimes like gold smuggling and hawala transactions in India.
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