Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday dismissed the bail plea of actress Ranya Rao in the gold smuggling case.
The bail application of another accused, Tarun Raju, was also rejected.
A bench chaired by Justice Sawanur Vishwajith Shetty passed an order in this regard.
In particular, Rao is the step daughter of a DGP who was sent on mandatory leave.
Meanwhile, the protection of foreign currency and the Prevention of Trafficking Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA), was implemented against Rao.
The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), a nodal agency under the Finance Ministry, investigated the case, has called for the Cofeposa Act against the actress and other accused as per the recommendation of the Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Following the COFEPOSA Act call, Rao will have no chance to get bail for one year.
The act was implemented to prevent the accused from being involved in smuggling after coming out on bail. Sources said that the Act is also implemented if the accused is seen as not to cooperate with the investigating agencies, the sources said.
Sources revealed that central agencies have taken steps after frequent efforts by Rao and others to get bail.
Other accused, Tarun Raju and Sahil Sakaria Jain have also been booked under the Kofeposa Act.
Ranya Rao, the step daughter of senior IPS officer Ramchandra Rao, was allegedly arrested for smuggling 14.2 kg gold on March 3, priced more than Rs 12.56 crore.
Rao and the other two accused are registered in Bangalore Central Jail.
The case is being investigated by DRI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The state government has established a special team under the leadership of a senior IAS officer to watch the role of DGP Ramchandra Rao. The report has been presented to the government in this regard, sources said.
Sources said the investigation into the gold smuggling case by the DRI revealed that the Havildar was involved in the transaction in collusion with actress Jain, the third accused in the case, sources said.
The DRI, in his remand application, was presented to the special court for economic crimes regarding the arrest of Jain in the gold smuggling case, alleging that Johri and Ranya Rao were involved in a havildar Nexus.
Investigations have found that with the help of Jain, Ranya Rao settled 49.6 kg of gold and transferred Rs 38.4 crore to Havala money to Dubai.
The DRI said, “The investigation has indicated that Jain settled from Ballari to Tornado and Bangalore, assisted Ranya Rao for disposal of Rs 40 crore for 49.6 kg gold and transferred the money of a havildar worth Rs 38.4 crore to Ranya Rao.”
