Court allows IT officers to interrogate Ranya Rao

The Special Court for Economic Offences has granted conditional permission to Income Tax officials to interrogate actress Ranya Rao inside prison. Rao is currently in judicial custody in connection with a major gold smuggling case.

The court directed that questioning be conducted at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail from June 10 to June 13, between 10 AM and 5 PM daily. The officials have already recorded her statement, and the interrogation was carried out under strict conditions, including complete video documentation and ensuring that Rao was not threatened or coerced during the process.

Ranya Rao was arrested after arriving at Bengaluru International Airport from Dubai. Officials recovered 14.2 kilograms of gold from her possession, valued at approximately ₹12 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) took her into custody, and she is now facing serious allegations of involvement in a hawala racket.

As the investigation deepens, Income Tax authorities are focusing on uncovering the financial transactions linked to the smuggling network. Rao is expected to be questioned further until June 13.

Due to the gravity of the charges, Ranya Rao is unlikely to receive bail for at least one year, as the case falls under the stringent provisions of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). Rao has challenged her detention in the High Court, and proceedings are ongoing. The case has drawn significant public and media attention, highlighting the increasing involvement of celebrities in high-stakes financial and smuggling crimes. Further updates are awaited as the investigation continues.