Gold smuggling case: Karnataka HC tells CISF to furnish airport CCTV footage to Ranya Rao

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday recorded the submission of Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath that the CISF at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru will provide Kannada actress Harshavardhini alias Ranya Rao CCTV footage tied to the gold smuggling case filed against her.

Justice Suraj Govindaraj was hearing a plea moved by Ranya Rao alleging non-compliance with the Court's July 14 order concerning the preservation and furnishing of CCTV footage.

Rao's counsel, Mahesh YL submitted that despite the Court's direction, the entire footage from 4.30 PM on March 3, 2025, to 6:00 AM on March 4, 2025 had not been furnished.

It was submitted that the petitioner had appeared before the CISF Commandant on July 15 and collected CCTV footage. However, the footage handed over to her covered only the period from 4.30 PM to 7 PM, whereas she had sought the footage for the entire period specified by the Court.

The Court initially questioned why a contempt of court petition had not been filed by Rao.

Meanwhile, ASG Arvind Kamath clarified that there appears to have been a misunderstanding on the part of CISF officials regarding the extent of footage that could be furnished in line with the Court's earlier directive.

According to the ASG, the officials had apparently proceeded on the understanding that footage beyond 6:00 AM could not be supplied since the Court's direction covered only the period up to 6:00 AM.

"Whatever we have preserved, we'll hand over," Kamath went on to submit.

He further explained that while the original CCTV footage had already been erased, the footage preserved pursuant to the Court's direction remained available and copies could be prepared and furnished.

"There are different videos. They have given some videos. Whatever we have preserved, we'll hand over," the ASG said.

The footage sought covers Rao's movement after she disembarked from Emirates flight EK-566, through the aerobridge, immigration, duty-free and baggage areas, customs clearance, the alleged search and seizure, mahazar proceedings and her eventual exit from the airport.

Rao was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on March 3, 2025 after she was allegedly intercepted with 14.2 kg of gold valued at around ₹12.56 crore, which she was accused of smuggling from Dubai.

She was subsequently granted default bail after the DRI failed to file its chargesheet within the statutory period. However, she remained in custody after being detained under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA).

Rao completed one year of preventive detention in April 2026 and was released from Bengaluru's Central Prison. She continues to face proceedings in the gold smuggling case with other accused individuals.