Actress Ranya Rao Behind Bars: Caught in Gold Smuggling, Bail Denied for Full Year
Kannada film actor Ranya Rao has been sentenced to one year in prison under the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) in connection with a high-profile gold smuggling case.
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The Advisory Board overseeing COFEPOSA matters has ruled that the actor will not be eligible for bail for the entire duration of her detention. This comes as a major legal blow to Rao, who was previously granted default bail on May 20 after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to file a chargesheet within the time period mandated by law.
Ranya Rao, known for her roles in Kannada cinema, was arrested earlier this year alongside co-accused Tarun Raju. The duo was allegedly involved in smuggling gold through Bengaluru and were under investigation by the DRI.
Despite receiving temporary relief with the earlier court-granted bail, the imposition of COFEPOSA — a preventive detention law often used in serious cases of smuggling and foreign exchange violations — overrides previous bail decisions. The Advisory Board’s decision ensures that Ranya Rao will remain behind bars for the full term unless there is a change in circumstances or legal intervention at a higher level.
Neither the DRI nor representatives of the actor have made an official statement following the latest development.
This case has added to the growing number of celebrities coming under scrutiny for financial and smuggling-related crimes in India, especially under strict economic laws like COFEPOSA.
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