Kannada actress Ranya Rao gets bail in gold smuggling case, but will stay in jail under COFEPOSA case
The Special Court of Economic Offences on Tuesday granted the statutory bail to gold smuggling suspects Kannada actor Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju.
The court stated that the two were entitled to default bail on executing a personal bond of ₹2 lakh each along with two sureties each.
The court further directed the two to appear before it on all dates of hearing without fail, not tamper with or hamper witnesses, co-operate with the investigation, not leave the country without prior permission from the court, and not commit similar offences in the future.
Any violations of the conditions imposed by this court will result in the cancellation of bail, the order stated citing bail condition.
Earlier in the month, the Ranya and Raju moved the court for the statutory bail after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to submit a charge sheet within 60 days of the probe.
Ranya (33) was arrested on March 3 after she flew into Bengaluru from Dubai. According to the DRI, she was found carrying 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore on her person. Raju and Sahil Sakariya Jain, the third suspect and the jeweller from Ballari, were subsequently arrested.
All three are currently lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru.
Even though she is granted bail, Ranya's release is unlikely since on April 22, the Centre had invoked the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act against all three, including Ranya. The law provides for the detention of a suspect for nearly a year without bail.
Earlier in the month, Ranya's mother moved the Karnataka High Court challenging her detention under the COFEPOSA Act. The hearing was adjourned to June 3 as the court directed the Centre to file objections.
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