Ranya Rao to remain detained as SC upholds smuggling case action

The Supreme Court of India on Thursday upheld the preventive detention of Kannada actor Harshavardhini Ranya Rao in a gold smuggling case, affirming the December 2025 ruling of the Karnataka High Court.

A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh dismissed appeals filed by Rao’s mother and a relative of co-accused Sahil Sarkariya Jain , holding that authorities had complied with constitutional safeguards under Article 22(3)(b) of the Constitution of India. The court clarified that detainees under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act do not have an automatic right to legal representation before an advisory board.

Rejecting procedural challenges, the court said “substantial compliance” had been made by authorities. It dismissed claims that key evidence stored in a pen drive was not supplied, noting that its contents were shown to the accused in prison and efforts were made to provide access through their representatives. The objection, it said, was an “afterthought.”

Rao and Jain were detained in April 2025 under COFEPOSA for allegedly facilitating the disposal of foreign-marked gold across multiple instances between November 2024 and February 2025. The court found sufficient material indicating prior involvement and a “live and proximate link” to ongoing smuggling activities.

The case originated from a March 2025 operation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence at Bengaluru airport. Rao was intercepted upon arrival from Dubai, and officials recovered 17 foreign-marked gold bars weighing about 14.2 kg . Investigators allege she concealed the gold in clothing and attempted to bypass customs using a VVIP exit .

The case gained attention due to Rao’s film career and allegations of repeated Dubai trips, pointing to possible organised smuggling networks.