Jatin Hukkeri, husband of arrested Kannada actor Ranya Rao, has filed a plea seeking exemption from arrest in a gold smuggling case. On March 11, the Karnataka High Court directed authorities not to take any action against him until the next hearing. Hukkeri gained this direction after filing a plea, fearing he could be taken into custody due to his relationship with Rao. In his petition, Hukkeri stated that he and Ranya Rao were not officially separated but had been living apart since shortly after their marriage in November. The plea further mentioned that just a month after their wedding, the couple started living separately due to unspecified reasons. Here are the 4 startling claims he made about his wife outside court.
Startling Claims Against Ranya Rao By Her Husband
A Times Now report, citing sources in the Enforcement Directorate, claimed that Jatin Hukkeri told officials that Ranya Rao never disclosed details of her business to him. According to the report, whenever he inquired about her work, she would argue with him.
The report further stated that Hukkeri and Ranya met only 45 days before their wedding, which prevented a thorough background check on her. It is also believed that he mentioned their marriage lasted less than four months. Allegedly, Ranya remained secretive whenever Hukkeri asked about her business and travel plans.
As per Hukkeri’s court statement, the couple lived together for just a month, though he did not disclose the reason for their unofficial separation. Whether they were considering legal divorce after months of living apart remains unclear.
Kannada Actor’s Bail Plea Rejected
In other development, The bail plea of Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been adjourned to March 19. The Sessions Court, scheduled to hear her petition on March 17, has instructed the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to submit its objections before the next hearing. Further proceedings will continue after the objections are filed.
Who Is Jatin Hukkeri?
Ranya is reportedly married to an architect from an influential political family in North Karnataka. He is an architect. Police allege that he frequently travelled with Rao to Dubai multiple times. Hukkeri who married Ranya in a high-profile ceremony at Taj West End a few months ago, caught investigators’ attention after taking four trips to Dubai within 15 days.
The couple’s wedding was a grand affair, hosted at the luxurious Taj West End. Following their marriage, they settled into a high-end apartment on Bengaluru’s upscale Lavelle Road, reportedly paying a hefty rent each month. However, their lavish lifestyle came under scrutiny when DRI officials raided their residence on Wednesday. During the search, authorities seized gold worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore, further intensifying the ongoing investigation.
Hukkeri gained attention after Ranya Rao’s father, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, revealed that his daughter had distanced herself from the family after her marriage. The senior officer, who serves as the Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, made this claim shortly after Ranya’s arrest, bringing their family connection into the spotlight.
Rao, who is in custody after being caught smuggling gold from Dubai on March 3, filed a fresh bail petition in Sessions Court on Saturday, after a lower court rejected the plea.
