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Gold smuggling case: Customs search violated procedures, claims Ranya Rao in high court

  •   Fri, Apr 18 2025 12:00:24 PM

Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 18: Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case, has informed the Karnataka High Court that the search and seizure operation conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials violated the provisions of the Customs Act.

Appearing before Justice S Vishwajith Shetty, senior advocate Sandesh J Chouta, representing Ranya, argued that the search violated Section 102 of the Customs Act, which mandates that any person taken into custody must be produced before a magistrate or a gazetted customs officer. Failure to comply with this procedure, he argued, renders the seizure invalid.

Citing inconsistencies in the seizure records and the instructions issued prior to the operation, Chouta contended that the entire process of search and arrest lacked legal compliance.

He further pointed out that the officer who led the operation was merely described as a gazetted officer, raising doubts over the legality of the action. Moreover, as per legal norms, the reason for Ranya’s arrest was not communicated in writing to her family members. Only a phone call was made to her husband, he informed the court.

Chouta also cited two Supreme Court judgments in support of his argument, stating that since offences under the Customs Act carry imprisonment of less than seven years, magistrate courts generally consider such cases for bail. He highlighted that Ranya, being a woman, has already been in custody for 45 days.

Meanwhile, in a related development, Ranya Rao’s husband is reportedly preparing to file for divorce, claiming irreconcilable differences since the day of their marriage.

The High Court, which is hearing the bail petitions of Ranya Rao and her co-accused Tarun Kondu Raju, has adjourned the matter to April 21, instructing the authorities to submit their objections before then.

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

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Title: Gold smuggling case: Customs search violated procedures, claims Ranya Rao in high court



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