In a high-profile case, Kannada actress Ranya Rao has been arrested for trying to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold, an offense that is punishable by severe legal penalties. She was detained at Bengaluru airport on Monday evening, after a sting operation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Police investigators were following Rao ever since they realized that she made four visits to Dubai within only 15 days, creating doubt. Because of this, DRI decided to keep an eye on her closely, eventually causing her to get arrested on arrival in India.
Adding to the fame of the case is the fact that Rao is the stepdaughter of Director General of Police Ramachandra Rao, the Chairman and Managing Director of Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited. Her celebrity connections have heightened public interest and gossip about the outcome of her case.
Central Laws on Gold Smuggling in India
Gold smuggling is a severe crime in India because of its economic implications as well as security threats. There are various central laws that regulate and ban the same, of which the Customs Act, 1962, is a foremost law addressing clandestine trade.
Laws preventing the smuggling of gold in India are:
- Custom Act (CA), 1962
- Foreign Trade (Development ＆ Regulation) Act, 1992
- Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPSA), 1974
- Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SFEMA), 1976
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA], 1967
What does the Custom Act of 1962 say?
Smuggling is a grave offense under the Customs Act, 1962, and has the following penalties:
- Imprisonment: A smuggler may be imprisoned for three to seven years, depending on the gravity of the offense.
- Fines: The accused person may be penalized three times the value of the smuggled gold along with imprisonment.
- Confiscation of Goods: Any goods smuggled are liable to be seized by customs officials.
What Punishment Might Ranya Rao Receive If Found Guilty?
Legal analysts indicate that the charges against Rao under the Customs Act can attract both jail time and heavy fines. Section 10 of the Act allows for both fines and imprisonment. With such a huge amount of gold involved, her likelihood of escaping jail is low.
A high-ranking DRI officer pointed out that the magnitude of the offense is a determining factor in penalizing the offender, adding that past instances of large-scale smuggling have resulted in firm legal action and punishment. Accordingly, it is not possible that Rao will be permitted to walk away by just paying a fine.
She is currently in judicial custody for 14 days, with the investigations ongoing. The court will determine her punishment, but according to legal precedent, she might be both jailed and fined.
Gold Carrying Restrictions for International Passengers
Indian law on customs places limits on the amount of gold to be brought in by international passengers:
- Male travelers: Permitted to carry up to 20 gm of gold with a value limit of Rs. 50,000.
- Female travelers: Permitted to carry up to 40 gm of gold with a value limit of Rs. 1,00,000.
- Children: May carry 20 or 40 gm of gold based on their gender, with the same respective value limits.
- NRIs can import a maximum of 10,000 gm of gold every six months if they have remained outside the country for at least six months. Yet, only a percentage of this entitlement is free from duty, with the rest charged customs.
With the probe still on, the judicial fate of Ranya Rao is still in the air. Nevertheless, considering the seriousness of her purported crime, specialists opine that she is likely to face a severe punishment.
