The High Court for the State of Telangana has granted bail to a woman accused in a narcotics case involving the alleged seizure of 2.95 kilograms of suspected ganja/marijuana at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, observing that the seized quantity was an “intermediate quantity” and that the material part of the investigation had already been completed. 

The bench of Justice Justice K. Sujana has observed that the material part of the investigation had already been completed. Taking into account the nature of allegations, stage of investigation, duration of incarceration and quantity allegedly seized, the Court found it appropriate to enlarge the petitioner on bail.

According to the prosecution, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport suspected the petitioner, who was travelling from Bangkok to Hyderabad on a Thai Airlines flight on April 15, 2026, of carrying contraband substances. Acting on the suspicion, customs officers conducted a search in the presence of independent witnesses and allegedly recovered 2950 grams of substance suspected to be ganja/marijuana concealed in ten food packets placed inside a checked-in trolley bag. 

The petitioner argued before the Court that the accused was innocent and had been falsely implicated in the matter. It was further contended that the petitioner had been in judicial custody since April 17, 2026, and that the alleged seized quantity constituted only an intermediate quantity under the NDPS framework. The defence also submitted that the material portion of the investigation had already been completed, thereby justifying grant of bail. 

The prosecution contended that the allegations involved offences under the NDPS Act and therefore the petitioner was not entitled to bail. The prosecution also informed the Court that the investigation was still pending and emphasized that the contraband was allegedly brought from Bangkok to Hyderabad. 

After considering the rival submissions and examining the material available on record, the High Court noted that the petitioner had remained in custody since April 17, 2026, and that the seized contraband amounted to an intermediate quantity. 

The Court directed the petitioner to execute a personal bond of ₹25,000 along with two sureties of like amount to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional Magistrate. The petitioner was also directed to appear before the respondent authority every Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. for eight weeks or till filing of the charge sheet, whichever is earlier. Additionally, the Court directed compliance with the conditions stipulated under Section 437(3) of the CrPC, presently corresponding to Section 480(3) of the BNSS.

Case Details

Case Title: Ms. Sejal Prashant Ambatkar Versus The Superintendent of Customs (Preventive)

Citation: JURISHOUR-1161-HC-2026(TEL) 

Case No.: Criminal Petition No.7186 Of 2026

Date:  06.05.2026

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