The Karnataka High Court has directed the Central Government to respond to a petition filed by the mother of Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya Rao, challenging her detention under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA).
The bench of Justice H P Sandesh and Justice Ramchandra D Huddar has scheduled the next hearing for June 3, 2025.
Ranya Rao was arrested on March 3, 2025, at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kilograms of gold from Dubai, valued at Rs. 12.56 crore.Subsequent searches at her residence uncovered additional gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash, bringing the total seizure to Rs. 17.29 crore.
The petition contends that Rao’s detention under COFEPOSA is illegal, citing violations of Article 22 of the Indian Constitution. It alleges that the detention order, issued on April 22 and served on April 23, was executed without providing her with the grounds of detention or the supporting documents, thereby denying her the opportunity to make an effective representation.
Rao has also been charged under multiple sections of the Customs Act, including 135(1)(a) and 135(1)(b), for her alleged involvement in the gold smuggling case. Her bail plea was previously rejected by the High Court on April 26, 2025.
The case has attracted significant attention due to Rao’s connections and the scale of the alleged smuggling operation.Investigations revealed that she had traveled to Dubai 27 times in the past six months and allegedly used VIP channels at the airport to bypass security checks. Authorities are probing potential links to a larger smuggling syndicate.
As the legal proceedings continue, the High Court’s directive for the Centre to file its objections marks a critical juncture in the case, potentially impacting the interpretation and application of COFEPOSA in similar future instances.
Case Details
Case Title: H P Rohini Versus Joint Secretary & Others
Case No.: WPHC 47/2025
Counsel For Petitioner: Advocate Chandra Shekara K
Counsel For Respondent: DSGI H Shanthi Bhushan
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