Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Scandal: DRI Warns of National Security Threat as Actress Ranya Rao Fights for Bail

Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Scandal: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has opposed Ranya Rao’s bail plea vigorously citing national security issues and the involvement of the alleged hawala connections in the gold smuggling case. While appearing before a court on Wednesday, senior counsel for DRI Madhu Rao urged the court to reject the bail application since it involved an international smuggling network.

DRI’s Argument: A Threat to National Security

The DRI argued that Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of a top IPS officer at the rank of DGP, was a key figure in a big gold smuggling racket. The agency alleged that the gold-smuggling racket had international connections and was helped by a protocol police officer. They pointed out that a proper probe would be needed to identify the source of money used to buy the smuggled gold.

“If we look at the criminal intention behind the case, jail is where she should be. The court should not release her on bail just because the accused happens to be a woman,” argued Madhu Rao. He also cautioned that release on bail could jeopardize the investigation, and important evidence would be destroyed.

Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Scandal: Gold and Cash Seized

As per DRI officials, ₹12.56 crore worth of gold was smuggled, and ₹2.67 crore cash and ₹2.06 crore worth of gold were recovered in raids. The agency also cited that Ranya Rao has an identification card in Dubai, and there are more chances of her fleeing the nation if she is granted bail.

“There is no legitimate reason to release her on bail, considering the scale of the smuggling racket. The investigators should be left to do their job without obstruction,” Rao said.

Defense Rebutts Charges, Cites Violations of Procedure

Senior advocate Kiran Javali, representing Ranya Rao, refuted the DRI’s claims and alleged procedural lapses in the investigation. He argued that the DRI had failed to present a declaration for the seized gold and that the second accused had already been arrested. Javali urged the court to consider the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Radhika Agarwal case while deciding on the bail plea.

He also faulted the DRI for breaching Customs Act regulations in Ranya Rao’s arrest at the airport Green Channel. “Several procedural mistakes were made in the arrest procedure, including not giving ‘grounds of arrest’ as required by the Supreme Court’s verdict in the DK Basu case,” Javali claimed.

Accusations of Harsh Interrogation Practices

Javali further highlighted irregularities in the interrogation process, stating that officials had questioned Ranya Rao multiple times without following the legally required six-hour gap between questioning sessions. “Such violations raise serious concerns about the fairness of the investigation,” he argued.

Court’s Interim Order on Ranya Rao’s Husband

Meanwhile, in another development to this story, the Karnataka High Court issued an interim order on Tuesday that asked the DRI not to arrest Jatin Vijaykumar Hukkeri, Ranya Rao’s better half, in this gold smuggling case.

With all eyes on the court and its deliberations over Ranya Rao’s bail plea, all that can be said at this hour is that the judgment may affect the operations of the alleged smuggling ring that is being probed.