Actor Ranya Rao’s lawyer has claimed procedural lapses by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) during her arrest. He argued that these errors make her eligible for conditional bail.
Senior advocate Kiran Javali told a special court that the DRI failed to follow Customs Act rules. “We are not debating guilt or innocence, but investigators did not follow procedure. That alone warrants bail,” he said.
He pointed out that while an arrest memo was issued, officials did not provide the ‘grounds of arrest’. He argued that this was a direct violation of Supreme Court guidelines set in the DK Basu case.
Javali claimed that the DRI did not follow proper search procedures.
Also read: Shivakumar rules out minister's link to gold smuggling case
Under Section 102 of the Customs Act, searches must be conducted in the presence of a gazetted officer or magistrate. This, he said, did not happen.
According to DRI documents, Ranya was detained at Bengaluru airport’s Green Channel on 3 March.
Officials found 1.4 kg of gold strapped to her body. Two individuals, Sneha and Harishankar Nair, were listed as witnesses.
Authorities claimed Ranya said she had nothing to declare while passing through a Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD).
However, the detector beeped, alerting officials. A search of her luggage revealed nothing. But a body search led to the discovery of 24K gold bars. Some were hidden inside her shoes and trouser pockets.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has passed an interim order directing the DRI not to arrest Jatin Vijayakumar Hukkeri, the husband of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, in connection with the case.
Hukkeri moved the high court alleging that he is repeatedly being called for interrogation and being harassed by the DRI.
Although the court has asked Hukkeri to cooperate with the probe, the matter will be heard next on March 17
While Ranya initially agreed to the search, she later challenged the procedure. Her lawyer argued that any accused person must be informed of charges and presented before a Gazetted Customs Officer or Magistrate.
Javali also highlighted that Ranya is a woman. “She is entitled to bail. This is not a murder case. Conditional bail can be granted. The investigation can continue,” he said.
He further accused officials of violating interrogation rules. Once a statement is recorded, there should be a six-hour gap before further questioning. But, as per the remand petition, Ranya’s statement was recorded at 1.30 am on 3 March. She was summoned again at 7 am on 4 March, breaching legal guidelines.
Follow us
