Bengaluru: Kannada actor Ranya Rao will remain in judicial custody after a sessions court dismissed her bail plea on Thursday in connection with the gold smuggling case, media reports said.

In yet another legal setback, the 64th City Civil and Sessions Court rejected her request for bail, prolonging her time in custody, according to an India Today report.

This follows an earlier ruling by the Special Court for Economic Offences, which denied her bail on March 14.

Rao had initially sought bail in the Magistrate Court, but her plea was turned down.

With multiple lower courts refusing relief, her legal team is now preparing to move the High Court, their final option to secure her release.

How was Ranya Rao arrested?

Ranya Rao had already been under scrutiny for her movements, particularly after she made four trips to Dubai in a short span of 15 days.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested the actress at Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 upon her arrival from Dubai, seizing gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore.

According to sources, she attempted to smuggle the gold by wearing a substantial portion and concealing the rest in her clothing.