Kannada actress Ranya Rao, known for her roles in films like Maanikya, is now at the centre of a sensational gold smuggling case that has taken a serious turn.According to Aaj Tak, The Advisory Board under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) has sentenced her to one year of imprisonment.What’s the issue about?Ranya, also known as Harshavardhani Ranya, was arrested on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport with 14.8 kg of gold allegedly smuggled from Dubai, valued at a staggering Rs 12.56 crore. Despite being granted default bail earlier due to procedural lapses by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), she remained in custody under COFEPOSA provisions, which allow detention for up to a year purely on suspicion related to smuggling or foreign exchange violations.
Default bail didn’t mean freedomWhile a Bengaluru court initially granted Ranya and co-accused Tarun Raju default bail—after the DRI failed to file a chargesheet on time—it did not result in release. The COFEPOSA detention order issued on April 22 overrode the bail, keeping her behind bars. Previously, her bail pleas had been rejected by the Special Court for Economic Offences, Sessions Court, and even the Karnataka High Court.Tarun Raju, a U.S. citizen and co-accused, also failed to secure bail and remains under restriction. Both were granted default bail on conditions including submission of two sureties and a Rs 2 lakh bond, along with a travel ban.Multiple Dubai visits, raids, and serious chargesWhat shocked investigators was the revelation that Ranya had travelled alone to Dubai 34 times between 2023 and 2025. Raids on her residence led to further seizures—gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Rs 2.67 crore in cash. The actress now faces charges under Sections 135 and 104 of the Customs Act. The proceedings are also underway under Section 108.What’s next?Ranya Rao’s legal team has accused the DRI of document manipulation and insists the offences are compoundable. For now Ranya’s freedom and career hang in the balance.
