Today, On 19th December, The Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition challenging the COFEPOSA detention of Kannada actress Ranya Rao in connection with a gold smuggling case reported in March this year.
The Karnataka High Court dismissed a petition challenging the detention of Kannada actress Ranya Rao under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA).
This case is linked to a gold smuggling incident involving her from March of this year.
A Bench consisting of Justices Anu Sivaraman and Vijaykumar A Patil ruled on the appeal made by Rao’s mother, HP Rohini, contesting the legitimacy of her daughter’s COFEPOSA detention.
Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3, 2025, at the Bengaluru International Airport, where officials reportedly confiscated 14.2 kg of gold valued at Rs.12.86 crores. Allegations suggest she concealed gold in her belt and jacket to avoid customs inspection.
Additionally, she is accused of utilizing the airport’s VVIP exit route.
During a search of her residence, DRI officials are said to have recovered jewellery worth Rs.2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs.2.67 crore, bringing the total value of the seizures in the case to Rs.17.29 crore.
The situation garnered considerable media attention, especially due to reports of Rao’s frequent travels to Dubai and her alleged exploitation of VIP airport exits.
In May, a special court in Karnataka dealing with economic offenses granted Rao default bail, as the DRI did not submit a chargesheet within the required 60-day period.
Reports suggest that Ranya, the adopted daughter of a DGP-rank officer in the state, utilized the VIP route at the airport to bypass inspections.
However, despite receiving this bail, Rao remained in detention due to the ongoing COFEPOSA charges against her, which serve as a preventive measure to combat smuggling.
Earlier, Ranya was held in DRI custody for three days before the court ordered her to be placed in judicial custody for fifteen days.