On March 3, 2025, DRI officials arrested actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru International Airport. Authorities allegedly seized 14.2 kg of gold valued at Rs.12.86 crores. It was claimed that Rao concealed the gold in her belt and jacket to evade customs checks.
Karnataka: The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order restraining the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from arresting Jatin Vijayakumar Hukkeri, the husband of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, in connection with the ongoing gold smuggling case involving Rao.
Hukkeri approached the High Court, alleging harassment by the DRI. He claimed that he was repeatedly summoned for interrogation merely because his wife, Ranya Rao, is an accused in the case.
The matter was heard by Justice Hemant Chandangouder, who cautioned the DRI against summoning Hukkeri without adhering to the due process of law.
“The DRI should not take any precipitative action against Hukkeri till the next date of hearing,” the Court ordered. Hukkeri was also directed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Background
On March 3, 2025, DRI officials arrested actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru International Airport. Authorities allegedly seized 14.2 kg of gold valued at Rs.12.86 crores. It was claimed that Rao concealed the gold in her belt and jacket to evade customs checks.
Rao, who is the stepdaughter of a DGP-rank officer in Karnataka, is also accused of misusing the VVIP exit route at the airport. During a subsequent search at her residence, the DRI reportedly seized jewellery worth Rs.2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs. 2.67 crore, bringing the total seizure in the case to Rs.17.29 crore.
On March 7, Rao was remanded to three days in DRI’s custody. Later, on March 10, she was sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
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In his petition, Hukkeri stated that the DRI visited his residence on March 3 and questioned him without informing him of the allegations against his wife.
“A search and seizure operation was conducted at my residence and office for nearly 15.5 hours,” he contended.
Hukkeri also alleged that he was taken to the DRI office without prior notice or summons.
“I was served the summons only after reaching the DRI office,”
he claimed.
He further added, “I was questioned till late at night without being informed about the allegations against me.”
Additionally, Hukkeri claimed that he was asked over the phone to appear for questioning without any formal summons. He also alleged that on March 9, DRI officials visited his parents’ home without notice.
“I was detained from 7.30 PM to 3 AM for interrogation, without any prior notice,” the plea stated.
Hukkeri further argued that he was subjected to harassment and physical assault by DRI officials.
“They forced me to make statements that would support their case,” he alleged. He maintained his innocence, stating, “I am not involved in any crimes alleged against my wife, yet I am being harassed and detained.”
Hukkeri urged the High Court to intervene and prevent the DRI from taking coercive actions against him without following the due process of law.
Senior Advocate Prabhuling Navadgi represented Hukkeri before the High Court. The plea was filed through advocates Joseph Anthony, Shirish Krishna, and Monica Patil from JSM Law Partners.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on March 17, 2025.
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