Latest news with #SpecialCourtforEconomicOffences
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
Kannada Actor's Mother Challenges Prolonged Detention In Karnataka High Court Despite Bail Grant
The mother of Kannada actor Ranya Rao has approached the Karnataka High Court with a habeas corpus petition, seeking judicial intervention to secure her daughter's release from prolonged custody. The legal challenge centers on the actor's continued detention despite receiving bail approval in a high-profile gold smuggling case. Ranya Rao secured bail from the Special Court for Economic Offences on May 20, yet remains incarcerated due to overlapping charges under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA). This legal complexity has created a situation where despite judicial relief in one case, the actor continues to face detention under preventive custody provisions. The case originated from Rao's arrest at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on March 3, where customs officials allegedly discovered a sophisticated gold concealment operation. Investigators reportedly found 14.8 kilograms of gold bars strategically hidden around her waist and calves using medical bandages and tissues, with additional quantities concealed in her footwear and clothing pockets. The seized contraband, comprising 24-carat gold valued at over Rs 12.56 crore, was allegedly smuggled from Dubai. The substantial quantity and sophisticated concealment methods led to charges under both the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, creating multiple legal proceedings that have complicated her release. During recent court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath indicated that formal objections had been filed regarding the habeas corpus petition. The Karnataka High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 18, providing both parties time to prepare their arguments on the detention's legality. The Special Court for Economic Offences had granted bail to both Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju under specific conditions, including surrender of passports, prohibition from leaving the country, and execution of Rs 2 lakh bonds with two sureties each. Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar's bail order came after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence failed to file charges within the mandatory timeframe. However, the COFEPOSA legislation provides authorities with extensive powers to maintain preventive detention for individuals suspected of activities threatening foreign exchange conservation or engaging in smuggling operations. This legal framework allows continued custody even when bail has been granted in related cases, creating the current legal impasse. The case highlights the complex intersection of multiple legal frameworks governing economic offences in India, where overlapping jurisdictions can result in prolonged detention despite judicial relief in specific charges. The High Court's decision will likely provide crucial clarity on the balance between preventive detention powers and individual liberty rights in cases involving serious economic crimes.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Kannada Actress's Family Challenges Prolonged Custody In Karnataka High Court Despite Court-Approved Release
The mother of Kannada film actress Ranya Rao has approached the Karnataka High Court through a habeas corpus petition, questioning the legal basis for her daughter's ongoing imprisonment in a major gold trafficking case. Despite receiving court approval for release, the actress remains behind bars due to overlapping legal proceedings. Rao received authorization for release on May 20 from the Special Court for Economic Offences, but her freedom has been blocked by additional charges filed under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (Cofeposa). This separate legal framework allows authorities to maintain custody of individuals suspected of smuggling activities that threaten foreign exchange conservation. The actress was apprehended at Bengaluru airport on March 3 following allegations of attempting to transport 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai. According to official reports, a comprehensive physical examination revealed gold bars strategically hidden around her body using medical bandages and tissues, particularly around her waist and leg areas. Investigators also discovered additional gold pieces concealed within her footwear and clothing pockets. The confiscated precious metal, confirmed to be 24-carat quality, carried an estimated value exceeding Rs 12.56 crore. Legal proceedings have been initiated against Rao under both the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act. During recent court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath informed the court that formal objections had been submitted regarding the case. The court has scheduled the next hearing for June 18. The Special Court for Economic Offences had granted release to both Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju last month, requiring each to provide two guarantors and post a Rs 2 lakh security bond. The release conditions included restrictions on international travel and prohibitions against repeating similar offenses. Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar approved the release after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence failed to file charges within the required timeframe. However, the Cofeposa legislation enables authorities to maintain preventive detention for individuals suspected of engaging in smuggling operations or activities that could harm foreign exchange stability, effectively overriding the earlier bail decision. This legal mechanism has resulted in Rao's continued incarceration despite the court's initial approval for her release.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Kannada Actor's Mother Challenges Daughter's Prolonged Custody Despite Court-Granted Bail
The mother of Kannada film actress Ranya Rao has approached the Karnataka High Court with a habeas corpus petition, questioning the legality of her daughter's ongoing imprisonment despite being granted bail in a major gold smuggling investigation. The petition seeks immediate clarification regarding the extended custody period and challenges the circumstances preventing the actress's release. Ranya Rao received bail approval on May 20 from the Special Court for Economic Offences, yet remains behind bars due to additional charges filed under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act of 1974, commonly known as Cofeposa. This separate legal provision allows authorities to maintain preventive detention for individuals suspected of engaging in smuggling activities or actions that threaten foreign exchange conservation. The actress was apprehended at Bengaluru airport on March 3 following allegations of attempting to transport 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai. According to investigation reports, a thorough personal examination revealed gold bars strategically concealed around her waist and lower legs using medical bandages and tissues. Additional gold pieces and bars were discovered hidden within her footwear and clothing pockets. The confiscated gold, confirmed to be 24-carat quality, carries an estimated market value exceeding Rs 12.56 crore. The Special Court for Economic Offences granted bail to both Ranya Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju after requiring each defendant to provide two guarantors and execute bonds worth Rs 2 lakh. The bail conditions specifically prohibit international travel and mandate that neither accused engage in similar offenses. Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar approved the bail following the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence's failure to submit required charge sheets within the legally mandated timeframe. During recent court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath informed the bench that formal objections had been submitted regarding the petition. The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 18 to address the mother's legal challenge. The case highlights the complex intersection of multiple legal frameworks in high-value smuggling cases, where bail in one proceeding may not guarantee immediate release due to overlapping charges under different statutes.
India Today
7 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Ranya Rao's mother moves High Court over continued detention despite bail
Kannada actor Ranya Rao's mother has filed a habeas corpus petition before the Karnataka High Court, challenging the legality of her daughter's detention in connection with a gold smuggling Rao was granted bail on May 20 by the Special Court for Economic Offences, but continues to remain in custody, due to a separate case that was filed under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (Cofeposa). advertisementRanya Rao was arrested at the Bengaluru airport on March 3 for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. A detailed personal search reportedly revealed gold bars concealed around her waist and calves using bandages and tissues. Additional gold bars and cut pieces were also found hidden in her shoes and front pockets. The seized gold, stated to be of 24-carat purity, was valued at over Rs 12.56 crore. Rao has been booked under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath submitted that objections had already been filed in the matter. The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings to June Rao and the second accused, Tarun Kondaru Raju, were granted bail by the Special Court for Economic Offences last month after asking both to furnish two sureties and execute a bond of Rs 2 lakh each. The bail was subject to conditions that the accused would not leave the country and would not repeat the offence. The bail was granted after officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence failed to submit the charge sheet within the stipulated period. The order was passed by Justice Vishwanath C due to the Cofeposa charges, Rao continues to be in preventive detention, as the legislation empowers authorities to detain individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling or activities detrimental to the conservation of foreign exchange. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
New Indian Express
21-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Actress Ranya Rao, Tarun Raju gets bail in gold smuggling case
BENGALURU: The Special Court for Economic Offences on Tuesday granted default bail to accused actress Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju, who were arrested by sleuths of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in a case related to gold smuggling. However, since they have been detained under the COFEPOSA Act, they will not be released from prison. On March 3 and 4, DRI arrested Ranya and seized 14.21 kg of gold in bar form, with a value of Rs 12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport. They searched her house and seized unaccounted cash of Rs 2.67 crore and jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore. Raju was arrested and produced before the special court on March 9. Allowing the applications filed by them under Section 187(3)(ii) of BNSS, Vishwanath C Gowdar, Judge, the Special Court for Economic Offences, said that Ranya and Raju, accused nos. 1 and 2, respectively, are entitled for default bail on executing a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh each, with two sureties for like sum, subject to other conditions. The conditions imposed were that both the accused had to appear before the court on all dates of the hearing without fail, and they should not tamper with or hamper prosecution witnesses. Besides, they have to cooperate with the investigation, should not leave the country without prior permission and should not commit similar offences in future. The court also made it clear that any violation of these conditions imposed, will result in cancellation of the bail granted. Initially, the accused were booked under provisions of the Customs Act, which enables the accused to get default bail if the DRI fails to file a charge sheet within 60 days, since the offences are punishable for less than seven years.
