The Karnataka High Court has issued a notice to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in response to the bail petition filed by Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya Rao, who is currently under judicial custody in connection with a major gold smuggling case.
The matter was heard by Justice S Vishwajith Shetty, who directed the DRI to respond to the petition and submit its objections before the next hearing, which is scheduled for April 17. The bail plea was filed after both the Magistrate Court and the Sessions Court had earlier denied bail to the actress.
Ranya Rao was arrested following the seizure of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The arrest was made by officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. Following her arrest, a search at her residence reportedly led to the recovery of gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.
She has been charged under multiple sections of the Customs Act. These include Sections 135(1)(a), 135(1)(b), 135(1)(a)(i)(a), 135(1)(a)(i)(b), 135(1)(b)(i)(a), and 135(1)(b)(i)(b), as well as Sections 104(4)(a), 104(4)(b), 104(6)(a), and 104(6)(c). These provisions deal with offences related to smuggling and illegal possession of goods, including serious penalties and possible imprisonment.
The bail application comes amid rising attention to the case, with the actress’s family also approaching the court for additional relief. Her parents requested that the Union of India take action against media outlets allegedly spreading false and defamatory content about their daughter and her father, K Ramchandra Rao. In this regard, the High Court granted an interim order, temporarily restraining the media from making or broadcasting any unverified or defamatory statements concerning the actress and her family.
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The case, registered under Criminal Petition No. 5047 of 2025, has drawn public and legal attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the value of the seized items. The next hearing in the matter will take place on April 17, when the court will examine the DRI’s objections to the bail request.
"The Court has issued notice to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and directed them to file objections by April 17,” the judge stated during the hearing.
Until then, Harshavardhini Ranya Rao remains in judicial custody as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.
Case Title: Harshavardhini Ranya AND Senior Intelligence Officer
Case No: Criminal Petition No 5047/2025.
