Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested from Bengaluru airport after officials found 14.8kg of gold in her possession, has alleged that Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials assaulted her in custody.
She claimed that a false case had been foisted on her in a letter addressed to DRI Additional Director General on March 6.
Making shocking revelations, Ranya said that she was slapped in the face 10 to 15 times from the time she was detained until she was produced before the court.
"Your officers did not permit me to explain that I am innocent in this matter," Ranya alleged. She stated that she was wrongly accused of carrying more than 14kg gold upon her return from Dubai.
She mentioned in the letter that DRI officials forced her to sign blank and typed papers. "Despite repeated hitting and slapping, I refused to sign the statement they prepared. I was forced to sign 50 to 60 typed papers and around 40 blank sheets," the actress wrote.
Ranya claimed that one of the officers even threatened to drag her father into despite the fact that he is innocent. "If you don't sign, we will expose your father's name and identity, even though we know he is not involved," she added quoting that officer.
The Kannada actress is the stepdaughter of DGP-rank officer K Ramachandra Rao, who currently serves as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation.
The DRI had earlier stated in a press release that gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore were seized from Ranya at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 upon her arrival from Dubai.
Following searches at her residence, officials also recovered gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.
Ranya's bail plea was on Friday rejected by a Special Court of Economic Offences in Bengaluru. She is currently lodged in the city's Parappana Agrahara Jail.
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