Kannada actress Ranya Rao, alias Harshavardini Ranya, confessed to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on the day of her arrest that she was a freelance real estate agent in Dubai and had agreed to import 17 gold bars, sources disclosed on Saturday.
Interestingly, her whole statement does not mention her stepfather, a top IPS officer in Karnataka. She also asked DRI officials to keep the incident confidential and asked for permission to delay the statement proceedings to the next day, claiming fatigue.
Her evidence was recorded on March 4 at the arrival terminal of Bengaluru's Kempe Gowda International Airport in front of a senior intelligence officer, in accordance with Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962.
The statement is signed by M. Chokkalingam, SIO DRO, and Senior Intelligence Officers Neha Kumari and Nageshwara Rao Kadiri. The statement is presented in question-and-answer form.
Though "gold smuggling" is not named as such in the document, insiders confirmed it thoroughly describes in its pages how 17 bars of gold were seized from her custody.
When asked about her recent foreign travel and how often she goes abroad, Ranya Rao replied, "I have visited Europe, America, and the Middle East, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia. I am tired because of the lack of rest and ask that the statement process be continued in the morning."
With regards to the gold seizure, she confirmed, "I stood before you on March 4 following a summons about the recovered gold from my possession. I have been explained the provisions of Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962, and I have gone through them."
She also accepted the legal consequences of her evidence, declaring, "I realize that these proceedings are like judicial proceedings and that I am under a duty to speak the truth. I also realize that any false, incomplete, or misleading statements can lead to prosecution under Sections 229 and 267 of BNS."
With an express consciousness of the legal gravity of her testimony, she further testified, "I am aware that this testimony would be admissible as valid testimony in judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings against me or anyone else concerned. I can speak, write, and read English and Kannada. With that consciousness, I make my statement here."
When questioned about her background, Ranya Rao related, "I was brought up and born in Bengaluru. My father is a real estate businessman. I studied till the 12th standard and worked in the field of cinema and theatre. I also work as a wildlife photographer and a freelance real estate worker in Dubai. I am married to an architect Jatin Hukkeri, and we reside together."
Referring to the impounded gold, she confirmed, "I have read the mahazar document drawn up at Bengaluru airport and concur with its contents. I attended the proceedings and accept that 17 gold bars were seized from my possession. I would appreciate it if the issue remains as confidential as possible."
When asked if there was anything more she had to say, she said, "I have nothing more to say. I again express my desire to cooperate with the investigation and will report whenever called. I was treated in a respectful manner when the statement was recorded, and no religious feelings were offended. I was provided with food and drinks, but I declined, only drinking water."
She reinforced the fact that her declaration had been voluntary, stating, "I am making this statement of my own free will, without any coercion, force, or inducement, and while in a normal state of mind."
On Friday, there was a court in Bengaluru that gave DRI custody of Ranya Rao in the case of gold smuggling. The Economic Offences Court postponed her bail application, keeping it pending for consideration. She continues to be in judicial custody.
The DRI apprehended Ranya Rao after seizing 14.8 kg of gold from her at Bengaluru International Airport on Monday evening. The officials also seized gold worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash from her luxury flat on Lavelle Road, where she had paid a rent of ₹4.5 lakh.
K. Ramachandra Rao, Karnataka DGP for State Police Housing Corporation and Ranya Rao's stepfather, was shocked at the development. Reacting to her arrest on Thursday, he said that the development had left him "devastated" and totally in the dark about her involvement.
Ranya Rao is the eldest daughter of his second wife, according to sources.
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