Bengaluru, March 10: Kannada actress Ranya Rao was remanded to judicial custody until March 24 by the Economic Offences Court in Bengaluru on Monday in connection with a gold smuggling case.
Ranya was presented before the court presided over by Vishwanath C Gowdar after spending three days in the custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
The court had instructed DRI officials to bring Rao before the bench by 4 pm, and she was presented following a medical examination. During the proceedings, Ranya Rao requested two minutes to speak with her legal representatives, which the court granted.
Ranya also made allegations of verbal harassment during her interrogation by DRI officials over the past three days. In response, the DRI stated that they had only asked relevant questions and emphasized that all interactions were recorded on CCTV, with her advocate present during the questioning.
Ranya Rao, who was arrested on March 3 by the DRI at Kempegowda International Airport (KIAD) in Bengaluru, is accused of smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai. Her arrest followed a tip-off regarding her alleged involvement in the gold smuggling operation. A team from the DRI was stationed at the airport to intercept her upon her arrival, and she was taken into custody immediately after landing.
Ranya, who is the stepdaughter of DGP K Ramachandra Rao, was brought before a special court judge on the evening of March 4 and remanded to judicial custody until March 18.
