High Court to hear Ranya Rao bail plea on April 21

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, April 18, 2025: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday adjourned to April 21 the hearing in the bail petitions filed by Harshavardini Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju, arrested in the gold smuggling case registered by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

Justice S Vishwajith Shetty directed the DRI to file the statement of objections without fail by the next date of hearing.

At the hearing, the counsel for the DRI sought some more time to file a statement of objections. It was informed to the court that the statement of objections was not filed since the signature of the investigation officer could not be obtained.

Senior advocate Sandesh Chouta, appearing for Ranya Rao, submitted that seizure of gold and arrest of the petitioner are vitiated on account of non-adherence to the provisions of section 102 of the Customs Act. He argued that there are discrepancies in the documents submitted before the magistrate court and Sessions Court about the seizure, arrest and signature of the witnesses. He submitted that Ranya Rao was not produced before any independent lady gazetted officer or a magistrate. The lady gazetted officer before whom Ranya was produced was Neha Kumari, who is none other than the investigating officer.

He further said that the DRI officials have telephonically informed Ranya’s husband about the arrest, while the grounds of arrest were not given in writing, as required under the law. Arguing additional grounds for bail, the advocate said that the offences alleged are compoundable in nature and are triable by a magistrate and that Ranya Rao is in custody for the past 45 days.

Ranya Rao is before the high court seeking bail since her application bail was rejected first by a Special Court for Economic Offences, Bengaluru on March 14, 2025 and on March 27, 2025, the Sessions court too had rejected her application.

On credible information, the DRI officials had intercepted Ranya Rao on March 3, 2025 at the Kempegowda International airport. The authorities had recovered gold weighing 14213.05 grams valued at Rs 12,56,43,362, found to be wrapped around her waist, calf muscles with the help of crepe bandage and tissues.