Kannada actress Ranya Rao, recently arrested for what is being called an established gold smuggling case, sobbed in a Bengaluru courtroom, alleging she underwent verbal abuse and emotional torture in the custody of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Allegation and the Arrest
Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 for allegedly trying to smuggle 14.2 kilograms of gold, valued at ₹12.56 crore. But the DRI said she is in the dubious gold smuggling syndicate owing to her travels to Dubai, on an average of approximately 27 times in the last six months.
Rao’s Statement in Court
Rao emotionally told her counsel in the court, “I suffer from… trauma, my lack of sleep eats me. My mind keeps taking me back to…the day at the airport. I cannot sleep…I am having…trauma.” Then she addressed the court through her counsel, for not doing enough regarding her allegations of verbal torture and emotional trauma during her stay under DRI custody.
“I was… verbally tortured and threatened. I am…traumatized, emotionally broken.” These allegations raise concerns about the treatment of individuals in custody and the possible impact on their mental health. Rao was taken before a special court of economic offenses on March 4, where she was remanded to judicial custody until March 18.
The DRI sought her to be further interrogated in custody to find out her role in the smuggling syndicate and for analyses of data extracted from her electronic devices. The court granted the DRI three days’ custody for this.
The serious question is how the family connections of Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of K. Ramachandra Rao (DGP), will work in favor of or against her. Such relationship is bound to ignite public and media excitement, which leaves room for speculation about their fallout on the investigations.
The DRI’s Statement
The DRI asserts that all the formalities followed during Ranya’s detention were according to the law. Her allegations about verbal torture had no basis. The DRI’s lawyer has pointed out in court that you cannot question Ranya Rao’s detention procedures because they were all recorded. There was no physical assault involved.
Political Controversy
Rao’s arrest has stirred up a political controversy in Karnataka. Congress MLA Arshad has put forward some questions-“Is she an industrialist or a smuggler, to be so frequently traveling to Dubai?”-raising connected issues. This includes the quest to find out whether her power may be abused and, if so, the necessity for proper and full-blown inquiries.
The allegations of verbal torture and the mentioned mental trauma, other than ravaging her by Rao, point to the mental health issues within the custodial settings. In unsubstantiated allegations, verbal abuse may lead to considerable psychological distress as anxiety, depression, and even PTSD.
The key to upholding human rights and establishing the justice system’s credibility is ensuring the mental well-being of individuals in custody. Further directions for DRI assessment on data belonging to Rao’s electronic gadgets, identifying any potential links to the smuggling syndicate. Further, the court will be looking into Ranya’s allegations of verbal torture and will ensure that her rights are protected going forward.
Such a case shows the problems facing law enforcement agencies striving to balance stringent investigations with a humane attitude toward suspects.
