Gold smuggling case: Actress Ranya Rao’s bail plea adjourned till March 19

NEW DELHI: The bail plea of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is currently in

judicial custody

over her alleged involvement in a high-profile

gold smuggling case

, has been adjourned to March 19.
The Sessions Court, which was set to hear her petition on March 17, has directed the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to file its objections by the next hearing. Further proceedings will continue once the objections are submitted.
Ranya Rao had earlier filed a bail application before the Special Court for Economic Offences, which was rejected due to the serious nature of the allegations against her.
Following this, her legal team moved to the Sessions Court in an attempt to secure her release.

The case has attracted widespread attention due to its scale and the alleged involvement of influential individuals.

Background of the case

Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport after DRI officials intercepted her carrying

gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore

. Investigations revealed that she had travelled to Dubai 27 times since January 2025. A subsequent search at her residence led to the discovery of additional gold jewellery valued at Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash.
The case took a dramatic turn when it emerged that Ranya allegedly used a State Police Protocol Officer to bypass security checks at the airport. She is the stepdaughter of Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Ramchandra Rao, raising concerns over potential police involvement.
However, the DGP has distanced himself from the controversy, stating that he had no knowledge of her alleged activities and had been estranged from her since her marriage.
Ranya has claimed that she was assaulted and forced to sign documents by DRI officials, allegations that have intensified the legal battle. Meanwhile,

BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal

has alleged the involvement of state ministers in the smuggling network, promising to expose them in the Karnataka Assembly.
Adding to the complexity, the

Karnataka High Court

has extended its interim order preventing the DRI from taking immediate action against Ranya's husband, Jatin Vijaykumar Hukkeri, who has also been detained in connection with the case.
The court has granted the DRI additional time to file its objections.