Bengaluru/IBNS: A Bengaluru court has barred media houses from publishing and telecasting any defamatory statement against Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who has been arrested for alleged gold smuggling, media reports said.

The court has passed an order restraining 35 media houses so that the accused is not denied her right to free trial.

Ranya's father had moved the court out of concern that the sensational journalism would deny his daughter her right to fair trial.

He claimed media reports were creating a wrong image of her daughter and drawing public opinion against the actress.

The court in its order said as quoted by Bar & Bench, "The copies of the news articles placed on record show the defendants are telecasting/publishing news about the ongoing investigation and are holding media trials which is an utter disregard to the guidelines issued by Hon’ble Courts and are interfering with the administration of justice."

"The defendants are hereby restrained from making, uttering, speaking, writing, publishing, relaying, telecasting or defamatory any statements or allegations against the plaintiff's daughter Smt. Harshavardini Ranya Rao by way of this exparte temporary injunction order. This order shall remain in force till next date of hearing," he added.

Ranya, who is the step-daughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 at the Bengaluru International Airport for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold worth Rs. 12.86 crore.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended Ranya Rao after she arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight and was immediately taken into custody.

Ranya, whose 14-day judicial custody expired on March 10, was on the same day remanded to DRI custody for another two weeks till March 24.

Ranya said in a confession that she was caught at the airport with 17 gold bars.

Reports claim Ranya travelled to Dubai 27 times in the last year bringing her under the scanner of DRI.

According to DRI sources, Rao had been under watch due to her frequent overseas trips, the report said.