Actress Ranya Rao granted bail in gold smuggling case but no release yet
Despite being granted bail, Ranya will remain in custody due to another case filed against her under a stringent anti-smuggling law by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau
Actress Ranya Rao was on Tuesday (May 20) granted conditional bail by a Special Court for Economic Offences in connection with the gold smuggling case. However, she will remain in custody, as she is also facing proceedings under a stringent anti-smuggling law.
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The bail has been granted in the gold smuggling case filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Ranya Rao, along with co-accused Tarun Kondaraju, had applied for bail after the DRI failed to file a chargesheet within 60 days. Taking this into consideration, the Special Court granted conditional bail to both of them.
Conditional bail
As per the court’s order, the bail has been granted upon submission of two sureties and a bond of ₹2 lakh. Additionally, the accused have been directed not to engage in similar offences or leave the country. Advocate Girish appeared on behalf of Ranya Rao.
Ranya was arrested at Bengaluru airport on March 3 after DRI officials seized 14.2 kg of gold bars valued at Rs 12.56 crore from her possession. Officials claimed that the accused attempted to evade customs duties totalling Rs 4.83 crore by taping the gold to her body using bandages.
Bail plea pending
Despite being granted bail, Ranya will remain in custody due to another case filed against her under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act by the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB).
Officials stated that her bail application in this case is still pending before the Karnataka High Court. Under Section 3(1) of COFEPOSA, Anupam Prakash, Joint Secretary of the CEIB, had issued a detention order against Ranya Rao on April 22. Under this law, once detained, a person cannot be released on bail. Prakash also directed the state government to ensure Ranya Rao, already in custody, be lodged at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru.
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The COFEPOSA Act permits the detention of individuals involved in serious smuggling activities for a minimum of 3 months, which may be extended up to one year, and in especially grave cases, up to two years.
(The story first appeared in The Federal Karnataka)