Jatin Hukkeri, the spouse of actress Ranya Rao who was detained over gold smuggling, submitted a petition to the court requesting protection from arrest. On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court ruled that no action should be taken against him until the next hearing.
Prabhuling Navadagi, the advocate for Hukkeri, requested the exemption, informing the court that his client wed Rao in November; however, they have been unofficially separated since December due to various problems.
ALSO READ: Rajnath Singh meets Tulsi Gabbard; raises Khalistan issue with her
At the same time, the attorney representing the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Madhu Rao, stated they will submit their objection next Monday. The High Court determined that its previous orders preventing any action against Hukkeri will stay effective until the next hearing on Monday, March 24, when DRI presents its objection.
On March 11, the Karnataka High Court directed that no action be implemented against Hukkeri, who approached the court, concerned that he might be arrested because of his connection with Rao.
Hukkeri gained attention when Rao’s father, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, asserted that his daughter had separated from the family after her marriage. The managing director of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation leveled the accusation immediately after Ranya Rao’s arrest, which revealed her association with the officer of DGP rank.
Rao, currently in custody after being apprehended for smuggling gold from Dubai on March 3, submitted a new bail petition in Sessions Court on Saturday, following a lower court’s dismissal of the request. The petition is expected to be heard by the Sessions Court today.
