Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has decided not to intervene in the preventive detention of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who is being held under the strict COFEPOSA law due to a gold smuggling investigation initiated earlier this year.

On Friday, a division bench led by Justices Anu Sivaraman and Vijaykumar A Patil dismissed a petition from Rao's mother, H P Rohini, challenging the legality of the detention order issued against her daughter under the COFEPOSA (Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act).

Ranya Rao was taken into custody by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3, 2025, at Kempegowda International Airport.

The DRI claims that they recovered 14.2 kg of gold, estimated to be worth Rs 12.56 crore, from her belongings.

It is alleged that she attempted to evade customs inspections by hiding the gold within a belt and jacket.

Investigators also assert that Rao misused a VVIP exit at the airport to escape scrutiny.

Further searches at her home reportedly uncovered jewellery valued at Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore, bringing the total worth of seized assets in this case to Rs 17.29 crore.

The case has garnered significant media attention due to reports of Rao's frequent travels to Dubai and her alleged use of privileged airport access.