Actress Ranya Rao, who is in judicial custody on gold smuggling charges, has made serious charges against the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), alleging she was physically assaulted and compelled to sign statements under duress.
She also accused officers of threatening to "expose" her stepfather, Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) K. Ramachandra Rao, knowing he had nothing to do with the case.
Ranya, whose bail application has been rejected, is still under investigation by the DRI, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The Karnataka state government has tasked Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta with investigating the alleged role of DGP Ramachandra Rao and possible shortcomings on the part of law enforcement authorities.
In a March 6 letter forwarded through the Chief Superintendent of Prisons to the Additional Director General (ADG) of DRI, Ranya narrated her ordeal, which she asserts started with her arrest at Bengaluru International Airport. The letter was signed immediately before her deportation to the Central Jail in Bengaluru.
Allegations of Physical Assault and Coercion
I am writing this letter in connection with the false case filed against me for being caught carrying over 14 kilograms of gold on my return from Dubai. The officials did not even let me tell them how innocent I was. They picked me up straight from the plane and, from then till I was brought before the court, I was slapped repeatedly—about 10 to 15 times—by officers whom I can recognize," Ranya said in her complaint.
The actress also alleged that she was coerced into signing several documents unwillingly. "In spite of the repeated attacks, I did not sign their scripted statements. One of the officers threatened that if I did not sign, they would reveal my father's identity publicly, even though they knew he had nothing to do with this case.". Under extreme pressure, stress, and physical abuse, I was compelled to sign about 50-60 typed pages and almost 40 blank pieces of paper," she claimed.
Allegations of Sleep and Food Deprivation
Ranya also alleged that the DRI officers denied her basic amenities while in custody. She said that from the time she was arrested on March 3 at 6:45 p.m. until she was produced before the court at 7:50 p.m. on March 4, she was not provided proper food or sleep.
"The officers deliberately withheld sleep from me," she claimed. "Their abuse, coupled with deprivation of sleep, physical beatings, and threats to my family, resulted in compelled signatures on papers."
Reiterating innocence, Ranya insisted that she was falsely accused in the case. She alleged that no official search and seizure were carried out in her presence and that unknown persons from Delhi, who claimed to be officers, were guarding other passengers while falsely incriminating her.
Alleged Threats During Transit
She also claimed to have been threatened again during transportation to court on March 4. "I was threatened that if I said anything about the assault before the judge, they would reveal my father's name," she said.
The special court of economic offences, however, turning down her petition for bail, referred to her allegations of mistreatment in this way:
The accused Ranya Rao's contention of sleep deprivation of interrogation, which allegedly breaches her constitutional right to recreation, cannot be entertained at this juncture. The prosecution agency contends that her interception and arrest were on specific intelligence and monitoring of her travel record.
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