Kannada Actress Ranya Rao gets bail, but remains in custody under COFEPOSA charges

Kannada film actress Ranya Rao and co-accused Kondaru Raju have been granted conditional bail by the Special Court for Economic Offences on Tuesday. The court permitted their release on bail after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) failed to file a chargesheet within the required timeframe.

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As per the bail conditions, both individuals must submit two sureties and a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh each. They are also prohibited from travelling abroad and have been directed not to engage in any further violations related to the case. The decision was delivered by Justice Vishwanath C. Gowdar, who has been overseeing the proceedings.

However, despite the court's order granting bail, Ranya Rao will not be released at this time. Authorities have booked her under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA), a more stringent law that enables preventive detention for those suspected of smuggling or foreign exchange violations.

COFEPOSA, designed to tackle economic offences that impact national security and financial stability, allows for detaining individuals even without a formal conviction, based on suspicion of serious economic crimes.