Kannada Actor Ranya Rao Released After One-Year COFEPOSA Detention In Gold Smuggling Case

Ranya Rao completes a one year COFEPOSA detention following a high profile gold smuggling case in India. Investigations by DRI, ED and CBI continue into large gold seizures, hawala transfers, and financial penalties, with further legal actions anticipated as authorities review the case and related roles.

Kannada actor Ranya Rao walked out of Bengaluru Central Prison on April 22, 2026, after completing one year in preventive custody under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act. The detention, which ran from April 22, 2025, followed a high-profile gold smuggling case and involved Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of suspended senior IPS officer and former DGP Ramachandra Rao.

Officials said the one-year detention formally ended on Wednesday morning, making Ranya Rao eligible for release despite an earlier Supreme Court ruling that upheld the COFEPOSA order against Ranya Rao and associate Sahil Sakaria Jain. Authorities had previously used the preventive detention law to keep Ranya Rao in jail even after bail was granted by a special court.

Key facts of the gold smuggling case

The case began on the night of March 3, 2025, when Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers intercepted Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. During a search, officials said they recovered 14.2 kilograms of concealed gold bars, valued at over Rs 12.56 crore. Investigators later linked the seizure to a larger alleged smuggling racket estimated at around Rs 102 crore.

According to the DRI and subsequent Enforcement Directorate (ED) findings, the March 2025 seizure was only one part of a wider operation. Investigators allege that Ranya Rao and associates smuggled about 127 kilograms of gold into India between March 2024 and March 2025. The DRI has imposed a penalty of Rs 102.5 crore on Ranya Rao in connection with the gold smuggling case.

Investigating agencies in the gold smuggling case

The gold smuggling case is being jointly probed by the DRI, the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), a nodal agency under the Ministry of Finance, invoked the COFEPOSA Act against the actress and other accused, based on a recommendation from the DRI. Officials said the law was used to prevent further smuggling and address alleged non-cooperation with investigators.

Investigators stated that although Ranya Rao had secured bail from a special court earlier, the COFEPOSA order allowed authorities to continue detention for up to one year without trial as a preventive step. The Supreme Court recently dismissed a final plea seeking early release for Ranya Rao and Sahil Sakaria Jain, leaving the detention orders in force until the one-year period expired.

Other accused and financial trail in the gold smuggling case

The DRI told the Special Court for Economic Offences that the gold smuggling case involved a hawala network. Investigators alleged that jeweller Sahil Sakaria Jain worked with Ranya Rao to dispose of smuggled gold and route the proceeds abroad. The agency said 49.6 kilograms of gold were sold with Jain’s help, and Rs 38.4 crore was transferred to Dubai through hawala channels.

Detailing Jain’s role, the DRI stated that Jain is originally from Ballari and is now settled in Bengaluru. In a remand application, the agency said: "The investigations have indicated that Jain, hailing from Ballari and settled in Bengaluru, assisted and abetted Ranya Rao in disposing of 49.6 kilograms of gold worth around Rs 40 crore and transferring hawala money of Rs 38.4 crore to Dubai," the DRI said.

Along with Ranya Rao and Jain, another accused, Tarun Raju, has also been booked under the COFEPOSA Act in the gold smuggling case. Officials said the preventive detention orders were intended to stop the accused from resuming smuggling activities after obtaining bail. Sources added that the law is also used when agencies believe suspects are not cooperating with inquiries.

The state government has ordered a separate administrative probe into the role of DGP Ramachandra Rao, whose family connection to Ranya Rao added to public interest in the gold smuggling case. A special team led by a senior IAS officer examined possible links and submitted its report to the government. Ramachandra Rao remains under suspension after being seen in a sleaze video while in police uniform.

Officials said the case continues to be under investigation, with further legal proceedings likely. Multiple agencies are examining the alleged smuggling routes, financial transactions and the roles of each accused. Authorities indicated that more information could surface as inquiries progress, even though the one-year preventive detention of Ranya Rao has now ended.

With her COFEPOSA term completed, Ranya Rao leaves prison but remains at the centre of the gold smuggling case, facing a large financial penalty and continuing scrutiny from several agencies. The investigations, court hearings and government review of DGP Ramachandra Rao’s role ensure the matter stays active within legal and administrative systems.