Bengaluru: Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been booked under the stringent Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, 1974, in connection with a large-scale gold smuggling case. With the Act invoked, she will be ineligible for bail for one year. Authorities stated that this step was taken to prevent her from resuming smuggling activities upon release, citing non-cooperation with investigating agencies.

Arrest and smuggling allegations
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior police officer Ramchandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kilograms of gold worth over Rs 12.56 crore. She is currently lodged in Bengaluru Central Prison along with two co-accused Tarun Raju and Sahil Sakaria Jain, who have also been booked under the COFEPOSA Act.

Central agencies intensify probe
The case is being jointly investigated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Officials revealed that the COFEPOSA charges were brought after multiple bail attempts were made by the accused.

DGP under scrutiny
The state government has constituted a special team led by a senior IAS officer to probe the possible role of DGP Ramchandra Rao in the smuggling network. A detailed report has already been submitted to the government.
Hawala network and gold disposal

According to the DRI's findings, Ranya Rao was allegedly involved in hawala transactions with the third accused, Jain. The agency claimed in court documents that Jain assisted Rao in disposing of 49.6 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately Rs 40 crore, and in transferring Rs 38.4 crore through hawala channels to Dubai.

Court filings detail smuggling operation
In its remand plea before the Special Court for Economic Offences, the DRI stated that Jain, originally from Ballari and now based in Bengaluru, "assisted and abetted Ranya Rao" in executing the financial and smuggling operations.

The authorities suspect that the network could have broader links, and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Actress’s background
Ranya Rao, who made her film debut in the Kannada industry, gained recognition for her roles in films like Maanikya and Pataki.