'Beaten 10 to 15 times, forced to sign blank papers'; actress Ranya Rao raises allegations against DRI officials

BENGALURU: Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case, has accused officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) of physical assault and coercion. In a letter sent to the Additional Director of the DRI through the Chief Superintendent of Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara Jail, Ranya detailed serious allegations of mistreatment in custody.

According to the actress, she was falsely implicated in the case and is completely innocent.

"I was arrested inside the aircraft itself and was not even given a chance to explain. Until I was produced in court, they continuously harassed me. I can identify those who assaulted me. I was beaten nearly 15 times. Despite repeated assaults, I refused to sign the documents they presented. Later, I was subjected to extreme pressure and forced to sign around 60 typed documents as well as 40 blank sheets," the letter alleges.

Ranya had earlier claimed that DRI officials used abusive language against her during three days of interrogation before being sent to judicial custody. A photo of Ranya with a swollen face while in custody had gone viral, but authorities denied allegations of mistreatment. Ranya was arrested on March 4th in a gold smuggling case. She was caught while attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai to Bengaluru.