Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested in a gold smuggling case, has alleged that she was slapped multiple times, denied food, and forced to sign blank documents while in the custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
In a letter addressed to the Additional Director General of DRI, Ranya maintained her innocence and claimed she was falsely implicated in the case.
Allegations of Abuse in Custody
Ranya, the stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer, was arrested at the Bengaluru airport on March 3 with gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore strapped to her body. She alleged that:
• She was arrested inside the aircraft and taken into custody without being given a chance to explain.
• DRI officers physically assaulted her, slapping her 10-15 times.
• She was denied food and subjected to intense pressure.
• She was forced to sign 50-60 typed pages and around 40 blank pages.
“From the moment of my apprehension until I was presented in court, I was physically assaulted, slapped 10-15 times by officers whom I can identify. Despite repeated assaults, I refused to sign the statements they prepared,” the actor wrote in her letter.
DRI’s Case Against Ranya Rao
The DRI maintains that Ranya Rao was part of a larger smuggling syndicate and had traveled 27 times to Dubai in the last six months, with four trips in just 15 days.
During questioning, she allegedly admitted to learning gold smuggling techniques through YouTube tutorials and planned the operation meticulously.
Court Denies Bail, Actor Sent to Judicial Custody
The explosive letter comes a day after a special Bengaluru court rejected Ranya Rao’s bail plea in the gold smuggling case.
The court ruled that the charges were serious, and further investigation was needed into the gold smuggling racket.
Ranya has been remanded to 15 days of judicial custody at Parappana Agrahara prison.
