Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, has been granted bail by a special court in Bengaluru in connection with a gold smuggling case that surfaced in March 2025. However, despite the bail order, Rao will remain in jail due to the invocation of the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act against her.

Ranya Rao was apprehended on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after arriving from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) discovered her carrying 14.2 kilograms of foreign-origin gold bars, valued at ₹12.56 crore, on her person. Subsequent investigations revealed that Rao had made 34 solo trips to Dubai between 2023 and 2025, raising suspicions about her involvement in a larger gold smuggling network. Following her arrest, a raid on her residence led to the seizure of gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash. She has been charged under Sections 135 and 104 of the Customs Act. The DRI has also initiated proceedings under Section 108 to investigate potential financial violations.

The special court granted Rao bail on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, on the condition of providing two sureties and a bond of ₹2 lakh. However, the COFEPOSA Act, invoked on April 22, 2025, allows for the detention of a suspect for up to a year without bail, effectively overriding the bail granted by the court. Rao's mother had previously challenged the detention under the COFEPOSA Act in the High Court.

Along with Ranya Rao, Tarun Konduru Raju and Sahil Sakariya Jain are also suspects in the case. On Monday, May 19, 2025, the Special Court for Economic Offences extended the judicial custody of Ranya Rao, Tarun Konduru Raju, and Sahil Sakariya Jain until June 2, 2025. All three are currently held at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru. Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju applied for statutory bail, arguing that the DRI failed to submit a charge sheet within 60 days of the investigation.

The Senior Standing Counsel of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) presented submissions that the court deemed satisfactory, leading to the extension of judicial custody. The court adjourned the hearing to Tuesday, where an order on the statutory bail of Ranya and Raju was expected to be issued. Ultimately, Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju were granted default bail, but their release remains unlikely due to the COFEPOSA detention.