Ranya Rao Alleges Assault, Forced Signatures in Gold Smuggling Case Custody
Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested in a ₹12.56 crore gold smuggling case, has claimed she was slapped, starved, and coerced into signing blank documents by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers. In a letter from jail, she alleged mistreatment and maintained her innocence, escalating controversy in the high-profile case.
Ranya’s letter, sent to the DRI’s Additional Director General via the Parappana Agrahara prison chief, detailed alleged abuses during her detention. “I was physically assaulted, slapped 10-15 times by officers I can identify,” she wrote, adding she was denied food and sleep. She claimed she was forced to sign 50-60 typed pages and 40 blank sheets under duress.
Ranya was apprehended on March 4 at Kempegowda International Airport with 17 gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore hidden in a waistbelt. The DRI arrested her inside the aircraft upon her return from Dubai, launching a probe into an alleged smuggling network. Her initial confession on March 7 admitted to smuggling, but she later retracted parts of her statements.
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On March 10, Ranya told a Bengaluru court she faced verbal abuse but denied physical assault, contradicting her latest claims. “They didn’t hit me, but they verbally abused me badly, causing severe mental distress,” she said then. A viral image showing her stressed appearance in custody fueled public attention.
A special Bengaluru court rejected her bail plea on March 14, citing the case’s severity. Now in 15-day judicial custody, Ranya alleged a DRI officer threatened to reveal her father’s identity—a senior police officer—despite his non-involvement. She questioned the case’s legitimacy, claiming no gold was recovered from her.
Ranya’s letter accused unnamed Delhi individuals, posing as officers, of framing her to protect others. This marks a significant shift from her earlier confession, raising questions about the DRI’s handling of the investigation. The agency has yet to respond officially to her allegations.
Ranya’s legal team is preparing to appeal the bail denial as the DRI continues its probe into the smuggling racket. Her conflicting statements and mistreatment claims are likely to draw further scrutiny, with updates expected as the case unfolds. Authorities may address her allegations in the coming days.
