Bengaluru, May 20: The Economic Offences Court in Bengaluru on Tuesday granted default bail to Kannada actress Ranya Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaraju in the high-profile gold smuggling case. Despite the bail order, Rao is likely to remain behind bars due to her detention under the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974.
The court approved the bail on the condition of two sureties each and a bond of ₹2 lakh. Strict conditions were imposed, including a prohibition on leaving the country and a stern warning against engaging in similar criminal activities. The court cautioned that any violation of these conditions would result in immediate cancellation of the bail.
Ranya Rao’s counsel, advocate B.S. Girish, clarified that the actress would not be released despite being granted bail, as she continues to be held under COFEPOSA provisions.
The stringent legal action follows multiple unsuccessful attempts by the accused to secure bail. Investigating agencies have accused Rao of non-cooperation during the probe and raised concerns about the risk of her resuming illicit activities if released.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior police officer K. Ramchandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 for her alleged involvement in smuggling 14.2 kilograms of gold worth over ₹12.56 crore.
The Karnataka government has constituted a special team led by a senior IAS officer to investigate potential links between DGP Ramchandra Rao and the smuggling operation.
Ranya is currently lodged at Bengaluru Central Prison along with co-accused Tarun Raju and Sahil Sakaria Jain, both of whom have also been booked under the COFEPOSA Act.
The case is under joint investigation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
