BENGALURU, March 15 — A special court for economic offenses on Friday denied bail to Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, in a gold smuggling case.
Authorities arrested Ranya after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore from her at Kempegowda International Airport upon her arrival from Dubai on March 3.
Subsequent searches at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash, officials said.
Ranya, the stepdaughter of DGP-rank officer K. Ramachandra Rao, is lodged at Parappana Agrahara Jail. Meanwhile, the second accused, Tarun Raju, has been remanded to judicial custody for 15 days as investigations continue.
According to officials, Tarun Raju allegedly coordinated the transport and distribution of the smuggled gold within India. Both accused face charges under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act.