Jatin Hukkeri, husband of actor Ranya Rao, who was arrested in connection with a high-profile gold smuggling case, has approached the Karnataka High Court seeking protection from arrest. The court, in its interim order, directed that no action be taken against him until the next hearing, scheduled for March 24. Hukkeri’s lawyer, Prabhuling Navadagi, argued that his client should not be implicated solely due to his relationship with Rao, especially since the couple, though married in November, had been unofficially separated since December because of personal differences. He emphasized that Hukkeri had no involvement in Rao’s alleged smuggling activities and urged the court to prevent any coercive action against him.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), represented by lawyer Madhu Rao, informed the court that they would file their formal objections by the next hearing. The court maintained its previous order to shield Hukkeri from arrest until then.
Hukkeri’s name surfaced in the controversy after Ranya Rao’s father, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, made public statements alleging that his daughter had distanced herself from the family following her marriage to Hukkeri. Ramachandra Rao, who holds the position of Managing Director at the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation, suggested that his daughter’s marriage played a role in her estrangement from the family. His comments stirred further public interest, with speculation mounting over whether family dynamics contributed to the unfolding legal drama.
Ranya Rao remains in judicial custody after being apprehended on March 3 for allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai. Authorities claimed she was caught red-handed at the Bengaluru International Airport with a substantial quantity of gold concealed in her luggage. Following her arrest, she was remanded into custody for further investigation.
A lower court rejected her initial plea for bail because the case involved serious economic offenses with international links. Rao, however, filed a fresh bail petition in the Sessions Court on Saturday, arguing for leniency. Her lawyer cited her clean record prior to the incident and contended that she was coerced into the smuggling operation by undisclosed parties. The Sessions Court is set to hear her bail plea today, and the decision is expected to have significant implications for the case’s progress.
The case has gripped public attention, not only because of Ranya Rao’s celebrity status in the Kannada film industry but also due to the involvement of her father, a high-ranking police official. The revelations of family estrangement, combined with the smuggling accusations and Hukkeri’s legal battle to avoid arrest, have added layers of intrigue to the story.
As investigations continue, the DRI is reportedly examining potential larger networks behind the smuggling operation. Sources suggest they are probing whether Rao acted independently or was part of a more extensive syndicate. With the upcoming court hearings for both Rao’s bail plea and Hukkeri’s plea for exemption from arrest, the case remains under intense public and media scrutiny, with each development fueling further debate and speculation.
