Jatin Hukkeri, the husband of Kannada actress Ranya Rao, has filed a petition in court seeking protection from arrest in connection with his wife’s gold smuggling case.
According to India Today, Hukkeri’s lawyer stated that the couple, who married in November 2024, has been living apart since December due to personal differences. The Karnataka High Court has granted Hukkeri temporary relief from arrest until the next hearing.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which is leading the investigation, intends to file an objection to Hukkeri’s plea on March 24.
Meanwhile, Rao’s stepfather, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, is under investigation for allegedly assisting in the gold smuggling operation. Authorities recently interrogated him about claims that he misused his position to facilitate the smuggling.
The investigation, led by IAS officer Gaurav Gupta, is nearing its conclusion, with a final report expected in the coming days.
Ramachandra has been placed on compulsory leave since March 15 amid the ongoing probe. He currently holds the position of Managing Director at the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Despite the allegations, Ramachandra has denied any involvement, claiming estranged relations with his stepdaughter since her marriage.
Additionally, Ranya Rao has accused the DRI of mistreating her during their investigation. In a letter to the Additional Director General of the DRI, she alleged she was subjected to physical abuse, denied food and sleep, and coerced into signing blank papers under duress. She further claimed that no proper search or recovery was made during her detention and accused officials of attempting to shield other suspects while targeting her.
