'I was slapped 10-15 times, not given food, signed 40 blank pages': Actor Ranya Rao claims torture in DRI custody

BENGALURU: A letter from accused Ranya Rao to Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials, sent through prison authorities, asserts her innocence in the case.
SEE ALSO: Gold smuggling case: Actor Ranya Rao's father Ramachandra Rao was top contender for DG-IGP post
The five-page handwritten letter, dated March 6 and dispatched the following day, is addressed to the additional director General of DRI, HBR Layout, Bengaluru.
In the letter, Ranya, who identifies herself as Harshavardhini Ranya, 33, wife of Jatin Hukkeri, claims she has been falsely implicated.
"I was apprehended inside the aircraft and arrested without being given an opportunity to explain. From the time of my apprehension to my production in court, I was hit and slapped on my face at least 10-15 times by officials whom I can identify. One of them said that if I did not sign the documents they prepared, they would expose my father's name and identity, even though he was not involved. Due to immense pressure and physical assault, I signed 50-60 typed pages and around 40 blank pages.
During my DRI custody, I was not allowed proper sleep or food. I am innocent and have been falsely implicated. No mahazar, as claimed, was ever drawn, nor was my search conducted or anything recovered from me. Some Delhi officials clearly want to protect other passengers and frame me.
I request that no reliance be placed on any of the statements recorded during this period, from the time of my apprehension until I was produced in court," reads the letter, signed by Ranya and mentioning her undertrial prisoner (UTP) number—2198/25.
Top contender for DG-IGP post
As the gold smuggling racket involving Sandalwood actor Ranya Rao continues to unravel, with three central investigative agencies intensifying their probe, the state government on Saturday directed senior IPS officer and Karnataka Police Housing Corporation DGP, K Ramachandra Rao, to take 'compulsory leave.'
Notably, Rao was among the leading contenders for the DG-IGP position, a post highly favored by senior officials in the state home department.