NEW DELHI: A special court on Tuesday reserved its order on the bail plea of Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, in the gold smuggling case until March 27. DRI advocate Madhu Rao also informed the court that actress’ Rao admitted to hawala connection.
The decision comes after a detailed hearing where both the defence and prosecution presented their arguments.
During the proceedings, Rao’s counsel, Kiran Jawali, argued for her release, while Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) advocate Madhu Rao submitted evidence indicating her direct involvement in the illicit transfer of funds.
The prosecution stated that the actress admitted to using hawala channels to facilitate gold purchases, further strengthening the case against her.
Madhu Rao told the court, “Money has been sent to Ranya Rao through hawala, she has confessed that.”
Ranya Rao had approached the sessions court after a special court denied her bail on the basis of objections raised by the DRI.
The high-profile case revolves around allegations of gold smuggling through unauthorised channels.
The actress, daughter of DGP-ranked officer Ramachandra Rao, was intercepted by DRI officials last week at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). She was allegedly found carrying 14.2 kg of gold strapped to her body while being escorted by a constable out of the airport’s arrival terminal.
When questioned about an inquiry report by additional chief secretary Gaurav Gupta regarding the case, the Karnataka home minister said he was unaware of its status and unsure whether an interim report had been submitted to the chief minister. “We don’t discuss with him (Gupta) on a day-to-day basis regarding the probe. He was given a week’s time, and once the report is submitted, we will get to know,” he said.
The Karnataka government has appointed Gupta to investigate the possible involvement of Ramachandra Rao in the alleged gold smuggling operation linked to his stepdaughter, Ranya Rao.
