Latest news with #ForeignExchangeandPreventionofSmugglingActivities
Hans India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Gold smuggling case: No bail to Ranya Rao for one year; COFEPOSA rap upheld
Bengaluru: The Advisory Board under the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has upheld the invocation of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act against jailed Kannada actress Ranya Rao. The board on Thursday also issued directions not to allow the filing of a bail petition by jailed actress Ranya Rao for one year from the date of her arrest as per the provisions of the COFEPOSA Act. The Advisory Board directed the DRI that no bail application should be filed on behalf of Ranya. Following this directive, the DRI conveyed the information to the jail authorities. Earlier, Ranya Rao was granted bail by a special court. However, since the case was registered under a special law, she was not released. The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), a nodal agency under the Ministry of Finance, invoked the COFEPOSA Act against the actress and other accused in the gold smuggling case, based on a recommendation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which is investigating the gold smuggling case. As per the provisions of the COFEPOSA Act, she will have to remain in custody for up to one year. On May 20, the Special Court for Economic Offences granted conditional bail to Ranya Rao. The court also granted bail to the second accused, Tarun Raju. She had hoped to secure bail and, after her mother had challenged the invocation of the COFEPOSA Act in court. The accused had sought bail on the grounds that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had failed to submit the charge sheet within 60 days. Taking this into consideration, the court had granted bail. Taking cognisance of the development, the Advisory Board, the statutory body within the DRI, looked into the matter and upheld the invoking of the Special Act against Ranya Rao. Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3 in connection with a gold smuggling case and has been in jail for the past four months.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Cops detain 1,002 suspects under Goondas Act in a year
Chennai: Over the past year, the Greater Chennai police have detained 1,002 people under the Goondas Act in a targeted crackdown on repeat offenders, launched after the murder of K Armstrong at Sembium. Police commissioner A Arun, who assumed charge shortly after the incident, said the detention strategy was to improve law and order. Of the total detainees, 610 were listed as rowdy elements, while 275 were drug offenders. Police also detained 73 property offenders and 19 individuals involved in sexual crimes. Additionally, nine people were detained for immoral trafficking, seven for offences under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA), and six under the National Security Act (NSA). North zone recorded the highest number of detentions at 366, followed by the west zone with 209 and the south zone with 200. The east zone reported 196 detentions. Other units such as the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Railways, and the Central Special Crime Investigation Division (CSCID) together accounted for 31 detentions. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Officers said that among the detainees were 26 suspects linked to the Armstrong murder. These individuals were in Puzhal prison for more than 10 months under the Goondas Act, pending further legal proceedings. Kolathur deputy commissioner of police R Pandiarajan said, "Detention of key offenders under the Goondas Act has significantly disrupted gang operations. When a faction leader is detained, their associates often disperse or flee." A Aravindan, a retired senior police officer, said, "Since trials can take time, preventive detention under the Goondas Act serves as a temporary but effective method to weaken criminal networks and allow police to restore public order." Madras high court advocate Karthikeyan, said, "Any detention under the Goondas Act must be reviewed by an advisory board within three months. If upheld, the detainee's family can challenge the decision by filing a habeas corpus petition before the high court." Under the law, the Goondas Act cannot be invoked against the same individual more than once a year. Still, police say the strategy has been effective in curbing street-level crime and breaking gang cohesion.
