The Telangana High Court has granted bail to a woman accused of attempting to smuggle over 2 kilograms of suspected marijuana into India through Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, observing that the seized substance constituted an intermediate quantity, the investigation had been completed, and no previous criminal cases were pending against the accused.
The bench of Justice K. Sujana allowed the bail plea filed by Mrs. Doddi Surikala, who had been arrested by Customs authorities under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
According to the prosecution, Customs officials attached to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, intercepted the petitioner on June 6, 2026, after she arrived from Bangkok on an Indigo Airlines flight.
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The interception was based on passenger profiling, which led officers to suspect that she was carrying narcotic substances. A detailed examination of her checked-in baggage allegedly resulted in the recovery of 2.150 kilograms of suspected Ganja/Marijuana, Concealed in eight black-coloured sealed packets, Hidden inside cake and cookie boxes and packed within a red-coloured trolley suitcase
The Customs department subsequently registered a case under Sections 20, 23 and 29 of the NDPS Act, 1985, alleging illegal possession, import and conspiracy relating to narcotic substances. The petitioner was taken into custody on June 7, 2026.
Appearing for the petitioner, counsel argued that the accused had been falsely implicated. She had remained in judicial custody since June 7, 2026. The quantity seized was only an intermediate quantity, not a commercial quantity attracting the stringent bail restrictions under the NDPS Act. The investigation had already been completed. No previous criminal antecedents or pending cases existed against the petitioner.
On these grounds, the defence requested the Court to enlarge her on bail.
Representing the Customs Department, the Senior Standing Counsel opposed the bail application.
The prosecution argued that the offences alleged were serious in nature under the NDPS Act. Although the quantity involved was 2.150 kg, the substance was allegedly sourced from Bangkok and had a significantly higher market value than ordinary marijuana available domestically. Investigation was still underway, warranting continued judicial custody.
Accordingly, Customs urged the Court to reject the bail plea.
After considering the rival submissions and examining the material on record, the Court noted several important circumstances favouring the grant of bail the petitioner had already undergone approximately one month of incarceration. The seized quantity constituted an intermediate quantity, not commercial quantity. The investigation had been completed. No criminal antecedents or other pending cases were reported against the petitioner. The overall facts and circumstances justified exercise of judicial discretion in favour of bail.
The Court observed that these factors, read together with the stage of investigation and the nature of allegations, warranted release on appropriate conditions.
While allowing the criminal petition, the High Court directed the petitioner to comply with several conditions, including execution of a personal bond of ₹25,000 with two sureties of the like amount. Mandatory appearance before the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU-C), Customs, RGIA, Hyderabad, every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. for eight weeks or until the filing of the charge sheet, whichever occurs earlier. Compliance with the conditions prescribed under Section 437(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (now Section 480(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).
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