Kannada actress Ranya Rao, also known as Harshavardhani Ranya, was granted default bail by a Bengaluru court in connection with a major gold smuggling case. However, despite the bail order, she continues to be held in custody due to a preventive detention order issued under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), 1974, according to reports by the Times of India.
Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after authorities discovered 14.2 kilograms of 24-karat gold concealed on her body. The gold, worth over ₹12.56 crore, was allegedly smuggled from Dubai. Further investigations revealed that Rao had made 27 trips to Dubai within six months before her arrest, raising suspicions about her role in a larger smuggling network.
On May 20, 2025, the Special Court for Economic Offences granted Rao default bail after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to file a chargesheet within the legally mandated 60-day period. The bail was granted on the condition that she furnish a personal bond of ₹2 lakh along with two sureties. Additionally, she is prohibited from leaving the country or engaging in any similar offenses during the bail period.
Despite this bail, Rao remains in custody because of a preventive detention order under COFEPOSA, which allows authorities to detain individuals without bail for up to a year to prevent ongoing smuggling activities. The order cited concerns over Rao’s alleged lack of cooperation with investigators and fears that she might resume unlawful activities if released.
Rao’s legal team has challenged the preventive detention order in the Karnataka High Court, arguing that it is legally unjustifiable. The case has attracted widespread media attention due to the actress’s celebrity status and the seriousness of the charges involved.
Meanwhile, investigations continue as authorities probe the extent of Rao’s involvement in the smuggling operation and seek to uncover possible connections to other individuals or organizations.
