Will Ranya Rao Face Prison In Gold Smuggling Case Or Get Away With Fine? What The Law Says
Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested for attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold. She faces charges under the Customs Act and could face fines and up to three years in prison.
In a high-profile gold smuggling case, Kannada actress Ranya Rao faces serious legal consequences after being arrested for attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold. With the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) registering a case against her under the Customs Act, the question arises – will she walk free after paying a fine, or is jail time inevitable?
As per legal experts and officials, the charges under the Customs Act carry severe penalties. Section 10 of the Act allows for both monetary penalties and imprisonment. The law stipulates that the accused could be fined up to three times the value of the smuggled gold. Additionally, imprisonment of up to three years is also a possibility.
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A senior DRI officer stated that the magnitude of the offence plays a crucial role in determining the punishment. Given the significant quantity of gold seized, the likelihood of Rao facing both financial penalties and imprisonment is high. Previous cases of large-scale smuggling have resulted in strict legal action, making it improbable that she will be let off with just a fine.
Currently, Rao is in judicial custody for 14 days as investigations continue. The court holds the final authority in deciding her punishment, but precedents indicate that such cases usually lead to a combination of fines and incarceration.
Adding to the controversy, Rao is the stepdaughter of Director General of Police Ramachandra Rao, who serves as Chairman and Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. This connection has intensified media scrutiny and speculation about the case’s outcome.
Investigators had been monitoring Rao’s movements after discovering she had travelled to Dubai four times within a span of just 15 days. Her frequent visits raised red flags, prompting the DRI to launch a covert operation. Upon her return to Bengaluru airport, officials intercepted her, leading to her arrest on Monday night.
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