No bail for one year, More charges filed against Ranya Rao

BENGALURU: Kannada actress Ranya Rao, arrested at the airport in a gold smuggling case, will not be granted bail for a year, as per new emerging reports. It was also confirmed on Friday that the actress has been charged with foreign exchange conservation and prevention of smuggling sections.

The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) has charged Ranya Rao with these sections on the recommendation of the Directorate of Intelligence.

The actress will not be able to get bail for one year. This is to prevent the accused in such cases from engaging in illegal activities again if released on bail. Even if the accused does not fully cooperate with the investigation, they do not necessarily get bail under this law. The actress was caught at the Bengaluru airport with gold worth Rs 12.56 crore on March 3. Subsequent searches revealed gold ornaments worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash in the actress's possession.

There were allegations that Ramachandra Rao, Ranya Rao's foster father and senior police officer, was involved in the case. The Directorate of Intelligence conducted an investigation, but Ramachandra Rao denied having any role in the drug business.

Ramachandra Rao, who has been serving as DGP since October 2023, is now the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. Earlier, too, there were allegations of corruption against Rao.