Thu Apr 17 13:49:43 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Actress’s Bail Hearing Adjourned in Gold Smuggling Case
**Bengaluru, April 17, 2025** – The Karnataka High Court adjourned the bail hearing of actress Harshavardini Ranya Rao, accused in a gold smuggling case, until April 21. Rao’s legal team argued that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) violated the Customs Act during her search and arrest, claiming the search wasn’t conducted in the presence of an independent gazetted officer as required by Section 102. They also contended that bail should be granted as the alleged offense doesn’t carry a sentence exceeding seven years, and she’s already spent 45 days in custody.
The sessions court previously rejected Rao’s bail application, citing the severity of the offense and its impact on the national economy. Rao was detained at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 for allegedly carrying 14 kg of undeclared gold bars. The High Court will also hear the bail plea of co-accused Tarun Konduru Raju, a U.S. citizen, on April 21. Both Rao and Raju’s bail pleas were initially rejected by lower courts.
First Piper 