Kannada actress Ranya Rao was granted conditional bail on Tuesday in the ongoing gold smuggling case. However, she will continue to remain behind bars due to a separate case filed under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA).

Despite the court’s decision, she will continue to remain in judicial custody due to a separate case filed against her under the stringent COFEPOSA Act.

Ranya Rao, along with co-accused Tarun Kondaraju, was granted bail on Tuesday, with the court setting strict conditions. Both accused were ordered to furnish two sureties each along with a bond amounting to Rs 2 lakh. The bail comes with several conditions, including a ban on international travel, a commitment to not engage in similar offences, and mandatory court attendance for all hearings. They must also fully cooperate with investigators, avoid tampering with evidence, and not influence any witnesses. Any breach of these terms could result in immediate cancellation of the bail.

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COFEPOSA Case Blocks Ranya Rao’s Release

Despite securing bail in the smuggling case, Ranya Rao will not walk free yet. Her lawyer, BS Girish, informed the court that her release is on hold due to an ongoing case under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA).

This detention has been challenged by Rao’s mother in the Karnataka High Court, which is set to hear the matter on June 3.

What Is Ranya Rao: Gold Smuggling Case?

Ranya Rao is known for her work in Kannada cinema and is the stepdaughter of senior Karnataka IPS officer K. Ramachandra Rao.

Ranya Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport. She was allegedly found carrying 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars hidden inside her jacket. The consignment, reportedly smuggled in from Dubai, is estimated to be worth Rs 12.56 crore.

Officials believe she tried to dodge customs duties amounting to Rs 4.83 crore by concealing the gold using bandages wrapped around her body.

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Her co-accused, Tarun Kondaraju, was arrested a week later on March 10. Investigators confirmed that he had accompanied Rao to Dubai shortly before the smuggling attempt.

During court proceedings in March, the DRI revealed that Ranya Rao admitted to using illegal ‘hawala’ channels to transfer money for the gold purchase, further deepening the case against her.