Ranya Rao Arrested & Sentenced To One Year In Prison In Bengaluru Gold Smuggling Case

Kannada actress Ranya Rao, known for her role in "Maanikya," is at the centre of a major gold smuggling scandal. The COFEPOSA Advisory Board has sentenced her to a year in prison. She was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with 14.8 kg of gold, allegedly smuggled from Dubai, valued at Rs 12.56 crore.

Despite being granted default bail due to procedural errors by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Ranya remained detained under COFEPOSA provisions. These provisions allow detention for up to a year based on suspicion related to smuggling or foreign exchange violations. The default bail did not lead to her release as the COFEPOSA detention order issued on April 22 superseded it.

Legal Struggles and Bail Issues

Ranya's legal challenges have been significant. Her bail pleas were rejected by various courts, including the Special Court for Economic Offences, Sessions Court, and Karnataka High Court. Alongside Ranya, co-accused Tarun Raju, a U.S. citizen, also failed to secure bail and remains under restriction.

Both were granted default bail with conditions such as providing two sureties and a Rs 2 lakh bond, along with a travel ban. The investigation revealed that Ranya had travelled alone to Dubai 34 times between 2023 and 2025.

Accusations Against DRI

Ranya's legal team has accused the DRI of manipulating documents and insists that the offences are compoundable. They argue that these charges should not result in such severe consequences for the actress. Meanwhile, her freedom and career remain uncertain as legal proceedings continue.

Raids on her residence uncovered further evidence—gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash were seized. She now faces charges under Sections 135 and 104 of the Customs Act, with proceedings also underway under Section 108.

Tarun Raju's involvement adds another layer to this complex case. As a co-accused, his inability to secure bail highlights the seriousness of the charges they face together. The conditions imposed on their default bail reflect the gravity of their alleged offences.