Jatin Hukkeri, the husband of actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested in a gold smuggling case, filed a plea in court asking to be exempted from arrest. Last Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court ruled that no action should be taken against him until the next hearing, according to an India Today report.
Prabhuling Navadagi, Hukkeri’s lawyer, asked for the exemption in court. He explained that Hukkeri married Rao in November, but they had been separated since December, although unofficially, because of some issues.
In the meantime, Madhu Rao, the lawyer representing the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), stated that they will submit their objection next Monday. The High Court decided that its earlier order, which stopped any action against Hukkeri, will stay in place until the next hearing on Monday, March 24, when DRI will present its objection.
Karnataka High Court Stops Action Against Jatin Hukkeri Amid Gold Smuggling Case
On March 11, the Karnataka High Court ordered that no action be taken against Jatin Hukkeri, who had asked the court for protection, fearing he could be arrested because of his connection to Ranya Rao.
Hukkeri came into the spotlight after Ranya Rao’s father, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, said his daughter had distanced herself from the family after getting married. This statement was made right after Ranya was arrested, and her connection to the DGP-rank officer became known.
Ranya Rao Arrested For Gold Smuggling
Ranya Rao, a Kannada actor, was arrested on March 4, 2025, for allegedly trying to smuggle 14.8 kilograms of gold worth Rs 12 crore into India. She was caught at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport while returning from Dubai. The actress was also denied bail. Ranya even claimed that DRI officers slapped her multiple times, denied her food, and made her sign blank documents. In a letter to the Additional Director General of DRI, Ranya said she is innocent and was wrongly involved in the case.
Ranya Rao Files Fresh Bail Petition After Lower Court Rejects Plea
Ranya Rao, who is in custody after being caught smuggling gold from Dubai on March 3, filed a new bail petition in the Sessions Court on Saturday. This was after a lower court rejected her previous plea. The Sessions Court is expected to hear the petition today.
