The Karnataka High Court is set to hear arguments on the legality of Kannada actress Harshavardhini Ranya Rao’s preventive detention under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA), after the Advisory Board upheld the detention order issued by the competent authority.
A Division Bench of Justice Anu Sivaraman and Justice Dr. K. Manmadha Rao was informed by the counsel representing the petitioner—Ranya Rao’s mother—that the Advisory Board has confirmed the COFEPOSA detention. The Bench clarified that the core issue before the Court is whether the detention itself is justified.
Following this update, the High Court directed the concerned authorities to file their objections to the petitioner’s memo and posted the matter for the next hearing on August 28. The petition challenges the constitutional validity of the detention, seeking a declaration that it is unlawful from the outset.
Gold Smuggling Charges and Massive Seizure
Ranya Rao was placed under judicial custody following her arrest by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3. She was apprehended at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, in connection with the alleged smuggling of gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore.
Subsequent searches at her residence uncovered additional gold jewellery valued at ₹2.06 crore and cash worth ₹2.67 crore. The actress faces charges under multiple provisions of the Customs Act, including Section 135(1)(a), Section 135(1)(b), Section 135(1)(a)(i)(a), Section 135(1)(a)(i)(b), Section 135(1)(b)(i)(a), and Section 135(1)(b)(i)(b).
Her bail application had earlier been dismissed by the Court on April 26.
Petition Alleges Violation of Constitutional Rights
The habeas corpus plea, filed by her mother, argues that the authorities failed to provide Ranya Rao with the grounds for detention and other relevant documents in a timely manner, as required under Article 22 of the Constitution.
“The detention order is not just flawed but entirely unlawful,” the petition states, adding that there was a clear non-application of mind on the part of the detaining authority.
It further alleges that there is no concrete ground under Section 3(1) of the COFEPOSA Act to justify the actress’s preventive detention for smuggling, transporting, or concealing contraband.
Case Details
Case Title: H P Rohini vs Joint Secretary & Others
Case Number: WPHC 47/2025
Read More: FOB Value Can’t Be Altered by Customs Dept.: CESTAT
