Karnataka HC issues notice to DRI on bail plea of Ranya Rao

Bengaluru: The Karnataka high court Wednesday ordered notice to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in response to the bail petition filed by actress Ranya Rao, an accused in the multi-crore gold smuggling case. Justice S Vishwajith Shetty posted the matter to April 17 to enable the DRI to file its statement of objections to the petition.
On March 27, 2025, the sessions court rejected Ranya's bail petition. Prior to that, on March 14, 2025, the Special Court for Economic Offences, Bengaluru, refused bail to her.
It may be recalled that Ranya Rao, arraigned as accused no. 1, was intercepted and apprehended at about 6.30 pm on March 3, 2025, following credible information that she was carrying smuggled gold. Thereafter, authorities allegedly recovered gold, weighing 14.2kg, valued at Rs 12.6 crore as on said day, which was wrapped around her waist and calf muscles with crepe bandage and tissues.