Ranya Rao Granted Bail in Gold Smuggling Case, But Remains in Jail Under COFEPOSA
Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested in a high-profile gold smuggling case, was on Tuesday granted default bail by the Special Court for Economic Offences in Bengaluru. However, she will remain behind bars as she has been detained under the COFEPOSA Act, a stringent anti-smuggling law that overrides regular bail provisions.
The court also granted statutory bail to Tharun Raju Konduru, a co-accused in the same case, after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to file a chargesheet within the mandatory time frame.
Despite the court’s bail order, Ranya Rao cannot be released as she is under detention sanctioned by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA).
The law allows preventive detention for up to one year without formal charges, aimed at curbing serious economic offences. The DRI recommended her detention, citing concerns that Rao may re-offend or obstruct investigations if released.
Rao’s mother has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court, challenging the validity of the COFEPOSA detention. The court is set to hear the case on June 3. Until then, Rao will stay in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison, where she is currently lodged with two other accused.
Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, for her alleged role in smuggling 14.2 kilograms of gold worth over ₹12.56 crore through the Kempegowda International Airport. The operation was busted by the DRI after a surveillance tip-off.
The smuggling network reportedly used frequent flyers and airport insiders to transport unaccounted gold from Dubai into India. Investigations revealed that Rao allegedly played a key role in facilitating and coordinating smuggling activities.
The case is being jointly investigated by the DRI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Officials say more arrests are likely as the probe expands into a suspected international smuggling ring with links in the Gulf.
While no official statement has been released by Rao’s legal team, sources close to the family say they are hopeful of relief in the High Court.
The COFEPOSA Act is a preventive detention law enacted in 1974, allowing the government to detain individuals involved in smuggling and foreign exchange violations. Detainees can be held without bail or trial for up to one year if authorities believe their release may pose a threat to national economic interests.
