‘Verbally Tortured, Traumatised’: Actor Ranya Rao Breaks Down In Court, Denies Physical Assault In Custody
Kannada actor Ranya Rao, arrested for alleged gold smuggling, claimed verbal abuse in DRI custody. She alleged pressure to sign documents while the court questioned her silence during interrogation.
Kannada actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested for allegedly smuggling gold worth ₹14.56 crore, broke down in court on Monday, claiming she was "traumatised and emotionally broken" due to "verbal torture and threats" in the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)’s custody. Appearing before a special court in Bengaluru, Ranya denied being physically assaulted but alleged that she faced verbal abuse during interrogation.
"I was verbally tortured and threatened. I am traumatised and emotionally broken," she told the court, according to NDTV. The allegations surfaced amid speculation about her possible mistreatment, after an image showing her with swollen eyes and bruises circulated widely. However, the DRI dismissed the accusations, stating that the entire interrogation was recorded on CCTV.
According to India Today, during the proceedings, the investigating officer (IO) informed the court that Ranya refused to answer questions during interrogation. "She remains silent every time we ask questions. We have recorded the entire investigation," the officer stated, adding that she even refused to respond when shown evidence.
Ranya alleged DRI officials pressured her into signing documents against her will. "I have fully cooperated with the investigation. I refused to sign only on the third day, but after that, I complied," she told the judge, adding that she was mentally harassed.
The judge questioned why she did not raise the issue with her lawyer. "You were given 30 minutes to speak with your lawyer. Why didn’t you inform them? Why didn’t they file a petition?" he asked, as per India Today's report. In response, Ranya alleged that she was taken to unknown locations and forced to comply. "I promise, sir, this is what they are doing," she pleaded. She also questioned the role of DRI’s legal team in the investigation, asking, "Why are lawyers involved in the investigation?"
The Special Public Prosecutor denied any knowledge of coercive interrogation tactics. "I have not received any such information," he said, adding that CCTV footage could be checked if necessary. Dismissing the allegations, he stated, "Being questioned might be uncomfortable for the accused, but that doesn’t make it torture."
As Ranya continued to cry in court, the judge advised, "Control yourself," and reprimanded her lawyer for interrupting. "She is answering our questions. Why are you cross-examining her?" the judge remarked, as quoted by the report.
The court subsequently remanded Ranya to judicial custody until March 24 and scheduled her bail hearing for Tuesday, directing the Special Public Prosecutor to file objections.
Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case
Ranya, the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, was caught on March 3 at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport with 14.2 kg of gold bars worth ₹14.56 crore. The actor, who made her debut with the 2014 film Maanikya, had reportedly travelled to Dubai four times in 15 days and made 27 trips in the past year.
Sources told NDTV that she allegedly smuggled gold by wearing some of it and concealing the rest in her clothing. After her arrest, DRI officials raided her residence and recovered gold jewellery worth over ₹2 crore and cash worth ₹2.67 crore.
Meanwhile, Ranya’s stepfather, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, denied any involvement in the case. In a statement on March 5, he said, "There has been no black mark on my career," adding that he had not been in contact with Ranya since her marriage four months ago and was unaware of her or her husband Jatin Hukkeri’s business dealings.
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