The Telangana High Court has granted bail to Pilassary Meethal Thajul Diyoof and Valappil Safa Abdulla two foreign nationals accused of smuggling 8.705 kilograms of suspected marijuana (ganja) from Bangkok to Hyderabad, holding that the quantity allegedly seized falls within the category of an intermediate quantity and considering the period of custody already undergone by the accused.

The bench of Justice K. Sujana while allowing two criminal petitions filed by the accused, who were arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad Zonal Unit, in connection with offences under Sections 20, 23, 28 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to the prosecution, DRI officers acted on specific intelligence inputs indicating that two passengers travelling from Bangkok, Thailand, to Hyderabad on IndiGo flight 6E-1068 on May 19, 2026, were carrying narcotic substances in violation of the NDPS Act. The passengers were intercepted at the Green Channel area of the Customs International Arrival Hall at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad, in the presence of independent witnesses.

The DRI alleged that a total of 8.705 kilograms of ganja/marijuana was recovered from the possession of the accused. Following the seizure, a case was registered and both individuals were remanded to judicial custody on May 20, 2026.

The accused argued that they had been falsely implicated and had remained in judicial custody since May 20, 2026. It was further submitted that the quantity allegedly recovered—8.705 kilograms—constituted an intermediate quantity under the NDPS framework and therefore did not attract the stringent bail restrictions applicable to commercial quantities. The petitioners also expressed willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

The DRI opposed the bail applications, contending that the value of the seized contraband exceeded ₹14 lakh and that the narcotic substance had allegedly been transported from Bangkok into India. The agency also informed the Court that the investigation was still in progress and argued that the accused had an alternative remedy of seeking bail before the trial court.

The High Court noted that the accused had been in custody since May 20, 2026, and that the quantity allegedly seized was 8.705 kilograms of suspected ganja/marijuana, which falls within the category of intermediate quantity. The Court also considered the stage of investigation, the nature of allegations and the duration of incarceration.

Taking these factors into account, Justice K. Sujana held that the case was fit for grant of bail and ordered the release of the accused subject to conditions.

The Court directed each accused to execute a personal bond of ₹25,000 with two sureties of the like amount to the satisfaction of the XXV Additional Judicial Magistrate, Rajendranagar, Cyberabad. The accused have also been directed to appear before the investigating authority every Monday at 11:00 a.m. for eight weeks or until the filing of the charge sheet, whichever is earlier, and thereafter whenever required for investigation. They must also comply with the conditions prescribed under Section 480(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

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