NEW DELHI: Gold smuggling accused actor Ranya Rao on Tuesday approached Karnataka high court for bail, days after a sessions court in Bengaluru rejected her plea for relief, news agency ANI reported.
Rao’s lawyer BS Girish submitted the petition, which the high court will take up next week.
The rejection by the sessions court of Rao’s bail plea was the third for the Kannada actor, who also faced setbacks in the Special Court for Economic Offences, followed by a magistrate court.
Rao, stepdaughter of K Ramachandra Rao, a DGP-rank officer of Karnataka Police, was apprehended at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport following her arrival from Dubai, on March 3. Authorities found gold bars concealed in a belt she was wearing.
The actor is accused of smuggling 14.2 kg gold worth Rs 12.56 crore.
Authorities suspect a “wider” smuggling network, as Ranya was found to have visited four trips to Dubai within 15 days before her arrest.
Sahil Jain, a Ballari-based gold dealer, is the second individual arrested in the case. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence arrested Jain for allegedly helping Rao dispose of the smuggled gold and share the proceeds.
He was taken into custody on March 27.
