In a major development, Kannada film actress Ranya Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju were granted bail by a Special Court for Economic Offences on Tuesday in connection with the gold smuggling case, PTI reported.
Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Actress Ranya Rao Gets Bail, But To Remain In Custody
Despite getting bail in the smuggling case, Ranya Rao will still have to remain behind bars.
The court approved their default bail applications after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to file a charge sheet within the stipulated period.
What did the Judge say?
Judge Vishwanath C Gowdar allowed the bail, directing each accused to furnish a two lakh bond and two sureties.
Additional conditions include restrictions on international travel without court nod, cooperating fully with the probe, and not indulging in similar activities.
Despite getting bail in the smuggling case, Ranya Rao will still have to remain behind bars.
The authorities have registered a separate case against them under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA), a preventive detention law designed to combat smuggling and conserve foreign exchange reserves.
Under COFEPOSA, a person can be detained without trial for up to one year on suspicion of involvement in such activities.
Case Background
Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after he arrived from Dubai on March 3. Based on a tip-off, DRI officials detained her and recovered 14.2 kg of gold bars worth over Rs 12.56 crore from her
The investigation is ongoing and Rao's release will now depend on the outcome of legal proceedings under COFEPOSA.
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