Big Setback For Ranya Rao As Her Bail Plea Gets Rejected For Third Time In Gold Smuggling Case
This was the third time Rao's bail application was denied. The actor was arrested at the Bengaluru airport for allegedly smuggling nearly 15 kg of gold from Dubai.
The 64th City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru on Thursday rejected the bail application of actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case.
The 33-year-old actress was arrested on March 3 after she was caught at the airport carrying 14.5 kg of gold while she was returning from Dubai. A Karnataka probe panel which is looking into protocol violation and dereliction of duty is likely to submit its report today in connection with the case.
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This is the third time Rao’s bail application has been rejected. A Special Court for Economic Offences on March 14 turned down her request for bail. Her legal team is now preparing to move the Karnataka High Court for bail, as per reports.
Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on March 3, upon her return from Dubai, where gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized. Further searches at her residence revealed gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore. During her interrogation, Ranya admitted that the money used to purchase the gold was transferred through hawala channels.
What Did The DRI Tell The Court?
The court had earlier directed the DRI to file its objections to the actor’s bail plea before today’s hearing. It told the court that Rao had confessed that money to purchase gold was sent through hawala transactions.
Madhu Rao for the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) told the court that money had been sent to Ranya Rao through hawala, and she had confessed to that. Her bail order was reserved for March 27 after the court heard arguments from both sides.
Last week, the court had dismissed the bail application of Tarun Konduru Raju, who was arrested on March 10 for his alleged role in the gold smuggling case. The DRI had strongly opposed his bail plea, citing concerns that he could abscond if released.
Third Suspect Arrested
This came after the Bengaluru Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) made its third arrest in connection with the case. A gold dealer was arrested for allegedly assisting Rao in disposing of smuggled gold.
Sahil Sakariya Jain was presented before a magistrate on March 26, leading to the authorities securing four days of custody for further investigation. The DRI believes Sahil’s involvement is crucial in unveiling a larger smuggling network.
He is accused of aiding Ranya Rao in the disposal of smuggled gold and sharing the proceeds from its sale multiple times, as evidenced by his statements in the DRI arrest memo. Before Sahil’s arrest, Ranya Rao and her business associate, Tarun Kondaru Raju, were already apprehended in connection with the racket.
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