BENGALURU: A special court for economic offences in the city Friday remanded Kannada actor Ranya Rao, caught with 14.2kg gold at Kempegowda International Airport Monday night, in three-day custody of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Daughter of senior IPS officer and director general of police (Karnataka Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, Ranya was caught allegedly smuggling in 17 gold bars while returning from Dubai to Bengaluru.
In a voluntary statement to DRI and reviewed by TOI, Ranya said, “I’m born and brought up in Bengaluru. I studied up to (class) 12. I’m an artist in the film industry/theatre. I’m a wildlife photographer and freelancer in real estate in Dubai…”
Ranya directed to fully cooperate with investigating agency
I’m married to Jatin Hukkeri, an architect, and stay with him on Lavelle Road. I have read the mahazar dated March 3 drawn at Kempegowda International Airport and affixed my dated signature as a token of having seen the mahazar. I accept that 17 pieces of gold bars were recovered from my possession.”
Passing his orders Friday afternoon, judge Vishwanatha C Gowdar from the special economic offences cases court directed DRI sleuths to produce Ranya before him on or before 4.30pm, Monday. Ranya was in judicial custody at Bengaluru Central Prison.
Accompanied by two DRI women sleuths, Ranya walked into the court around 5.45pm. Judge Gowdar asked Ranya whether she was ill-treated by police during transit or at any other time. Ranya replied in the negative. The DRI team is being led by investigating officer Nageshwar Rao and includes senior intelligence officer Neha Kumari. “The accused shouldn’t be threatened during police custody. She should be provided basic amenities, including food. Her health should be taken care of. Each day, after interrogation is over, Ranya’s counsel can meet her for 30 minutes in the presence of DRI officials,” the judge said.
He directed Ranya to fully cooperate with the investigating agency during their custody. Ranya’s counsel, Girish, sought permission to speak to his client. The court permitted this, saying he can speak to her in the presence of DRI officials.