Jatin Hukkeri, husband of actor Ranya Rao who was arrested in connection with gold smuggling, filed a plea in court, seeking exemption from arrest. Karnataka High Court ordered not to take any action against him till the next hearing.
Prabhuling Navadagi, Hukkeri’s advocate, sought the exemption, stating in court that his client married Rao in November, but were separated, although unofficially, due to some issues since December. The lawyer for Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Madhu Rao, said they will file their objection next Monday. The High Court ruled its earlier orders, that no action be taken against Hukkeri, will remain in place till the next hearing Monday, March 24, the next when DRI files its objection.
The Karnataka High Court, on March 11, ordered that no action be taken against Hukkeri, who had moved the court, fearing he could be taken into custody due to his relationship with Rao. IPS officer Ramachandra Rao claimed his daughter distanced herself from the family since she got married. The Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation managing director made the allegation right after Ranya Rao was arrested, and her connection with the DGP-rank officer became public knowledge.
Hukkeri, who was arrested earlier in relation to the case, has filed a petition in court requesting an exemption from arrest. On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court ruled that no action should be taken against him until the next hearing. Hukkeri’s lawyer, Prabhuling Navadagi, stated in court that his client married Rao in November but had been living separately since December due to personal differences. Although their separation was not officially documented, they had not been together since then, he argued.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is set to file its objection to Hukkeri’s plea on Monday. Ranya Rao remains in custody after being caught smuggling gold from Dubai on March 3. She recently submitted a fresh bail plea to the Sessions Court after a lower court rejected her initial request. The Sessions Court is expected to review her petition today.