Gold smuggling case | Karnataka High Court rejects bails pleas of Ranya Rao, co-accused Tarun Konduru Raju

On March 14, 2025, the Special Court for Economic Offences, Bengaluru had refused bail to Ranya Rao. Subsequently, on March 27, 2025, the Sessions court too had rejected the bail petition.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday rejected bail to actress Harshavardini Ranya Rao and Tarun Konduru Raju, accused in the gold smuggling case registered by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Justice S Vishwajith Shetty dismissed the petitions. The details of the order are not yet available.

On April 7, 2025, the Special court for Economic Offences had refused bail to Tarun Raju, a US citizen. On March 14, 2025, the Special Court had refused bail to Ranya and on March 27, 2025, the Sessions court too had rejected her application.

On credible information, the DRI officials had intercepted Ranya Rao on March 3, 2025 at the Kempegowda International airport. The authorities had recovered gold weighing 14213.05 grams valued at Rs 12,56,43,362, found to be wrapped around her waist, calf muscles with the help of crepe bandage and tissues.

Opposing the bail petitions filed by both the accused, the DRI had informed the high court that they had traveled to Dubai and come back together 34 times since 2023. It was further stated that Tarun would hand over the gold to Ranya in Dubai. Although a ticket to Geneva was booked for Tarun, both returned to Bengaluru. The advocate for the DRI said that the investigation revealed that earlier credit cards were used for making the payments. However, after Ranya got married, the payment mechanism changed to cash. The cash used to get credited into the account of Tarun Raju and from that amount he used to travel.

It was Ranya Rao’s contention that she has traveled to 30 other countries and she is a golden visa holder and holds a residence identity card since she has a company in Dubai. The advocate had contended that Ranya is a first time offender. During the hearing, the court had posed questions about the police escort provided to Ranya at the airport and as to why DRI had not questioned/probed into this aspect.