Latest news with #ConservationofForeignExchangeandPreventionofSmugglingActivitiesAct
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
50 years after Emergency: Encounter killings and a saga of silence
Home Minister Kasu Brahmananda Reddy reached the residence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at 10.15 p.m. on June 25, 1975. Within 15 minutes, he drafted a letter with the minutes of the earlier meeting between the PM and the President and appended a draft proclamation for State of Internal Emergency to be signed by Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. By midnight, the proclamation of emergency was out. On June 22, 1975, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister J. Vengal Rao was summoned to Delhi by then personal secretary to Prime Minister, R.K. Dhawan in time for the verdict on Indira Gandhi's election from Raibareli in Uttar Pradesh. The stage was set in Delhi and Andhra Pradesh. A different face While it was midnight knocks and detention of political leaders elsewhere in the country, the iron fist of Emergency was felt by student leaders and Naxalites in Andhra Pradesh. According to the Shah Commission, which inquired into the Emergency period, Andhra Pradesh had 1,135 détenus under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), 45 under Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) and 451 under Defence and Internal Security of India Rules (DISIR). These figures also prove that the brunt of the Emergency was felt by those outside the political framework — 512 belonged to banned organisations (350 from CPML) and only 210 were political prisoners while 413 constituted criminals and anti-social elements. 'The bulldozing of shanty towns, encroachments and forced sterilisations happened in the northern part of the country, in Andhra Pradesh however, there were a series of encounter killings. In 21 months, there were 70 encounter deaths. After the 1977 elections, Tarkunde Commission and Bhargava Commission inquired into these killings,' informs journalist and activist N. Venugopal, who had a ringside view of the events due to the detention of his brother-in-law poet Varavara Rao on the eve of Emergency. Within 24 hours of declaration of Emergency, civil rights activist and lawyer K.G. Kannabiran began receiving calls at his Narayanaguda residence. The first call being that of Pattipati Venkateswarlu, who was the secretary of Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee, about a raid on his home and detention. 'The calls didn't stop. Our home became an open house as PDSU students, political leaders would turn up at all hours of the day and night seeking help. Either it was a calling bell or the ring of the phone. We knew no privacy,' says Kalpana Kannabiran, sociologist and lawyer who translated the memoir of her father K.G. Kannabiran. Killing fields One of the first encounter killings was what became known as Girayapalli encounter. 'Four youths, one of whom was a student of Regional Engineering College, Warangal, were taken in a police van to the Girayapalli forest in Medak district, tied to trees, blindfolded and shot dead on the night of July 25, 1975,' recounts Mr. Venugopal. After the elections, the Organisation for Protection of Democratic Rights sent a list to President B.D. Jatti containing 134 names of persons who were killed in encounters or as the organisation called it 'cold blooded murders'. Among them were Vempatapu Satyam, Panchadi Krishnamurthy, Panchadi Nirmala, Dr Bhaskar Rao, Dr Mallikarjun and Neelam Ramachandra, among others. Home Minister Charan Singh on the floor of Parliament accepted that 50 persons died while being detained under the Maintenance of Security Act across the country but only one from Andhra Pradesh. Socialists, members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Ananda Margis and Naxalites were targeted in Andhra Pradesh during the 21-month Emergency period. Girayapalli encounter was followed by Chilakalgutta incident where Ramanarsiah was picked up from a house in Old Malakpet and killed. It was followed by the Yellandu case where Neelam Ramachandriah and Jampala Chandra Sekhar Prasad were killed. Months after Emergency was lifted, an independent fact-finding committee under former judge V.M. Tarkunde was constituted with eight other members. This report led to the Union government appointing the Bhargava Commission of Inquiry. 'When Chenna Reddy became chief minister, he wanted the hearings to take place in-camera. This was not acceptable to Bhargava who did not complete the inquiry. Even a request for an interim report was not accepted,' says Venugopal. With the inquiry into encounter killing scotched, the deaths of so many young men became a statistic that is not logged in the notorious history of Emergency. Warning on demolitions In the first year of Emergency (1975-76), Andhra Pradesh underperformed in the sterilisation sector with 1,65,163 operations against a target of 2,94,200 set by the Government of India. The next year, it outdid with performance of 7,41,713 sterilisation operations against a target of four lakh. However, there were 25 complaints about use of force for the FP operations. Even with demolitions, A.P. accounted for only 1.8% of total with 75 complaints. In contrast, Delhi had 1248 complaints. The Shah Commission concluded about the excess during Emergency: 'The vast majority of demolitions were carried out by a complete disregard for the sufferings of persons in very humble walks of life and the government could take immediate steps to remedy the wrong and also to ensure that the conditions in the resettlement colonies are rendered safe, clean and convenient.'
India Today
11-06-2025
- India Today
Income Tax officials allowed to quiz Ranya Rao for 3 days in gold smuggling case
Kannada actor Ranya Rao will be interrogated by the Income Tax Department for three days in connection with a gold smuggling case. The Special Court for Economic Offences has granted permission for the questioning, which will take place from today until June 13 between 10 am and 5 pm. As directed by the court, the interrogation will be videographed inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison, where Rao is currently incarcerated. advertisementRanya Rao was arrested at the Bengaluru airport on March 3 for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. A detailed personal search reportedly revealed gold bars concealed around her waist and calves using bandages and tissues. Additional gold bars and cut pieces were also found hidden in her shoes and front pockets. The seized gold, stated to be of 24-carat purity, was valued at over Rs 12.56 crore. Rao has been booked under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act. The Income Tax Department is probing the source of funds used to purchase the smuggled gold. The interrogation, led by woman inspector Shwetha and inspector Ravipal, is expected to shed light on possible financial networks and identify any accomplices involved in the June 3, Rao's mother filed a habeas corpus petition before the Karnataka High Court, challenging the legality of her daughter's detention in connection with the gold smuggling Rao was granted bail on May 20 by the Special Court for Economic Offences, but continues to remain in custody, due to a separate case that was filed under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (Cofeposa).advertisement IN THIS STORY#Bengaluru#Karnataka
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Hans India
Kannada Actor's Mother Challenges Prolonged Detention In Karnataka High Court Despite Bail Grant
The mother of Kannada actor Ranya Rao has approached the Karnataka High Court with a habeas corpus petition, seeking judicial intervention to secure her daughter's release from prolonged custody. The legal challenge centers on the actor's continued detention despite receiving bail approval in a high-profile gold smuggling case. Ranya Rao secured bail from the Special Court for Economic Offences on May 20, yet remains incarcerated due to overlapping charges under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA). This legal complexity has created a situation where despite judicial relief in one case, the actor continues to face detention under preventive custody provisions. The case originated from Rao's arrest at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on March 3, where customs officials allegedly discovered a sophisticated gold concealment operation. Investigators reportedly found 14.8 kilograms of gold bars strategically hidden around her waist and calves using medical bandages and tissues, with additional quantities concealed in her footwear and clothing pockets. The seized contraband, comprising 24-carat gold valued at over Rs 12.56 crore, was allegedly smuggled from Dubai. The substantial quantity and sophisticated concealment methods led to charges under both the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, creating multiple legal proceedings that have complicated her release. During recent court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath indicated that formal objections had been filed regarding the habeas corpus petition. The Karnataka High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 18, providing both parties time to prepare their arguments on the detention's legality. The Special Court for Economic Offences had granted bail to both Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju under specific conditions, including surrender of passports, prohibition from leaving the country, and execution of Rs 2 lakh bonds with two sureties each. Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar's bail order came after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence failed to file charges within the mandatory timeframe. However, the COFEPOSA legislation provides authorities with extensive powers to maintain preventive detention for individuals suspected of activities threatening foreign exchange conservation or engaging in smuggling operations. This legal framework allows continued custody even when bail has been granted in related cases, creating the current legal impasse. The case highlights the complex intersection of multiple legal frameworks governing economic offences in India, where overlapping jurisdictions can result in prolonged detention despite judicial relief in specific charges. The High Court's decision will likely provide crucial clarity on the balance between preventive detention powers and individual liberty rights in cases involving serious economic crimes.
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Kannada Actress's Family Challenges Prolonged Custody In Karnataka High Court Despite Court-Approved Release
The mother of Kannada film actress Ranya Rao has approached the Karnataka High Court through a habeas corpus petition, questioning the legal basis for her daughter's ongoing imprisonment in a major gold trafficking case. Despite receiving court approval for release, the actress remains behind bars due to overlapping legal proceedings. Rao received authorization for release on May 20 from the Special Court for Economic Offences, but her freedom has been blocked by additional charges filed under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (Cofeposa). This separate legal framework allows authorities to maintain custody of individuals suspected of smuggling activities that threaten foreign exchange conservation. The actress was apprehended at Bengaluru airport on March 3 following allegations of attempting to transport 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai. According to official reports, a comprehensive physical examination revealed gold bars strategically hidden around her body using medical bandages and tissues, particularly around her waist and leg areas. Investigators also discovered additional gold pieces concealed within her footwear and clothing pockets. The confiscated precious metal, confirmed to be 24-carat quality, carried an estimated value exceeding Rs 12.56 crore. Legal proceedings have been initiated against Rao under both the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act. During recent court proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath informed the court that formal objections had been submitted regarding the case. The court has scheduled the next hearing for June 18. The Special Court for Economic Offences had granted release to both Rao and co-accused Tarun Kondaru Raju last month, requiring each to provide two guarantors and post a Rs 2 lakh security bond. The release conditions included restrictions on international travel and prohibitions against repeating similar offenses. Justice Vishwanath C Gowdar approved the release after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence failed to file charges within the required timeframe. However, the Cofeposa legislation enables authorities to maintain preventive detention for individuals suspected of engaging in smuggling operations or activities that could harm foreign exchange stability, effectively overriding the earlier bail decision. This legal mechanism has resulted in Rao's continued incarceration despite the court's initial approval for her release.
India Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Ranya Rao's mother moves High Court over continued detention despite bail
Kannada actor Ranya Rao's mother has filed a habeas corpus petition before the Karnataka High Court, challenging the legality of her daughter's detention in connection with a gold smuggling Rao was granted bail on May 20 by the Special Court for Economic Offences, but continues to remain in custody, due to a separate case that was filed under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (Cofeposa). advertisementRanya Rao was arrested at the Bengaluru airport on March 3 for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. A detailed personal search reportedly revealed gold bars concealed around her waist and calves using bandages and tissues. Additional gold bars and cut pieces were also found hidden in her shoes and front pockets. The seized gold, stated to be of 24-carat purity, was valued at over Rs 12.56 crore. Rao has been booked under the Customs Act and the Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath submitted that objections had already been filed in the matter. The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings to June Rao and the second accused, Tarun Kondaru Raju, were granted bail by the Special Court for Economic Offences last month after asking both to furnish two sureties and execute a bond of Rs 2 lakh each. The bail was subject to conditions that the accused would not leave the country and would not repeat the offence. The bail was granted after officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence failed to submit the charge sheet within the stipulated period. The order was passed by Justice Vishwanath C due to the Cofeposa charges, Rao continues to be in preventive detention, as the legislation empowers authorities to detain individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling or activities detrimental to the conservation of foreign exchange. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
