Kannada actor Ranya Rao has taken a U-turn on her previous confession in the gold smuggling case, now claiming innocence in a letter addressed to the Additional Director General of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). According to a report by India Today, Rao alleges that she was coerced into signing statements under duress.
In her letter, the actor stated that she was arrested directly from her flight two weeks ago. She further accused DRI officers of physically assaulting her multiple times in an attempt to force her to sign pre-drafted statements. Despite initially resisting, she claims she was eventually compelled to sign approximately 50-60 typed pages along with 40 blank sheets.
From the moment of my apprehension until I was presented in court, I was physically assaulted, slapped 10-15 times by officers whom I can identify. Despite repeated assaults, I refused to sign the statements they prepared,” Ranya stated in her letter.
Under immense pressure and physical assault, I was forced to sign 50-60 typed pages and around 40 blank white pages prepared by the DRI officers,” she added.
Ranya Rao was taken into custody on March 3 at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle over 14 kg of gold from Dubai. The case has drawn significant attention due to her connection to senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who is the Chairman and Managing Director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.
However, the police official has denied any involvement in her alleged activities. As the investigation continues, the circumstances surrounding her arrest and subsequent confession remain under scrutiny.
