I-T officials to record Ranya Rao's statement in Bengaluru Central Prison
Bengaluru: A special court for economic offences in the city Wednesday permitted income-tax officials to record the statement of Sandalwood actor
, who is in Bengaluru Central Prison after being arrested in a gold-smuggling case.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The special court, in its order, said I-T officials could record her statements between Wednesday and Friday, 10am to 5pm. According to the order, "The applicants (IT officials) shouldn't ill-treat the accused. The applicants should videograph the entire interrogation with intimation to the accused. The accused should extend full cooperation to the interrogation," the special court observed.
Ranya, daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport after she landed from Dubai.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) sleuths had seized 14.2kg of gold bars strapped to her body.
Though the high court granted her bail last month, she was forced to remain in jail because the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974, has been invoked against her by the Centre.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
29 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
IIT Kharagpur student held for raping 13-year-old girl in Thane
THANE: A student from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has been arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Thane city, police said on Friday. The police on Thursday arrested the 23-year-old accused based on a complaint lodged by the girl's mother and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against him, an official said. The accused, who lives in the Kalwa area, allegedly lured the differently abled girl with new clothes and sexually assaulted her, he said. The official said, "The probe team has recovered a video of the sexual assault from the accused's mobile phone, which also contained objectionable videos and photos of other girls. " It is suspected that the accused may have targeted more women in the past, he said, adding that further probe is underway.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Police, excise nabbed 19k drug offenders this year across Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A whopping 19,168 people have been arrested so far this year for drug-related offences, while a staggering 18,427 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act have been registered in the special anti-drug drives of the police and excise departments. The numbers, said officials, indicate that drug abuse has become a huge threat for the state. Until June 11, the police registered 16,125 cases and arrested 16,953 people in the four months since the launch of their ongoing anti-drug drive 'D-Hunt' on February 22. The excise department registered 2,302 cases of drug peddling and consumption and arrested 2,215 people in the 70 days of its special drive, 'Clean Slate', the first phase of which was held from March 5 to 12, while the second, launched on April 21, is currently on. A total 1,680 kg of ganja and 8.7 kg of MDMA were seized collectively. In comparison, there were 35,690 NDPS cases registered last year – 27,530 by the police and 8,160 by excise sleuths. At the current rate, the number of cases will cross 50,000 if the special drives continue for a year. Sources from both departments said the detection rate of cases reveals drug addiction has risen at an alarming rate. 'Drug abuse has become a big threat,' said a senior police officer. However, there is a silver lining. 'One good thing is through the special drive, we busted several clandestine drug rackets. We have enhanced the deterrence value through sustained operations and pushed the rackets on the back foot. We are sensing some reluctance on the part of ringleaders, who operate from outside the state, in sending consignments to Kerala,' the cop said. While 'D-Hunt' will run till the end of the month, the excise department is expected to continue 'Clean Slate' further. Highly-placed sources said the state government might announce a new action plan later this month and both departments will be charting out new measures to counter drug supply and abuse. Crackdown continues Drug cases registered in police, excise special drives: 18,427 Total arrests: 19,168 MDMA seized: 8.7 kg Ganja seized: 1,680 kg (Until June 11)
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Maritime incidents: Kerala HC asks state to proceed against shipping firms
KOCHI: Expressing concern over repeated maritime incidents off the state's coast, Kerala High Court has directed the state government to proceed against the shipping companies, including by taking actions such as seizing sister vessels. This (the incidents) is costing the public exchequer, said a division bench headed by Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar. 'If these instances keep happening, the burden will be on the state exchequer. It is best to proceed against the companies, and the state can also arrest sister vessels. Slow or no action should not become a precedent... there has to be prompt action. If there is a bigger incident in the future, this action will set a precedent,' it said. '...the state should not leave any stone unturned as far as offenders are concerned.' The bench said the Union and state governments should take all possible action under law. Under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017, a collector can file a suit to enforce a maritime lien on a vessel. This lien arises from dues owed to the port, such as charges for using port facilities or damage caused by the vessel to port property. The cost to the public exchequer should be recovered from the persons responsible, the bench added. It sought to know whether the incidents would require the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to step in. Advocate General (AG) Gopalakrishna Kurup informed the court that police have registered an FIR and started an investigation. The AG added that no court can take cognizance of any offence under the Environment (Protection) Act except on a complaint made by the central government or any authorised officer. The court replied that it's for the central and state governments to take action. It also said it will appoint an amicus curiae to assist the court in the matter. The loss of fish resources from pollution and the resulting economic loss must be considered, the bench added.
