Telangana HC Grants Bail to Two Accused in Malaysia-Hyderabad Ganja Smuggling Case

The Telangana High Court has granted regular bail to two men accused of smuggling ganja from Malaysia to Hyderabad. The High Court passed the order on June 12, 2026, in separate criminal petitions filed by the accused, Mohan Manikandan and another co-accused.

According to the Customs Department, the two accused arrived at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport from Kuala Lumpur on an Air Asia flight on May 2, 2026. Acting on passenger profiling inputs, Customs officials intercepted them and allegedly seized 5800 grams of ganja hidden in specially created false compartments of two blue-coloured bags. During questioning, one of the accused reportedly stated that the bags had been handed over to him by an unidentified person in Kuala Lumpur and were meant to be delivered to a receiver waiting at the airport.

Counsel for the accused argued that they were innocent and had been falsely implicated in the case. It was also submitted that the seized quantity of ganja was of an intermediate quantity and not a commercial quantity. The defence contended that accused had been in judicial custody since May 3, 2026 and there was no need for further custodial interrogation as investigation had substantially progressed.

The Customs Department opposed the bail plea saying the ganja was imported from Malaysia into India and the stringent provisions of Section 37 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act should apply. The prosecution further argued that the investigation was still underway.

After hearing both sides, the High Court observed that the accused had been charged under Sections 20, 23 and 29 of the NDPS Act and that the quantity allegedly seized was only of intermediate quantity. The Court held that the strict restrictions on bail under Section 37 of the NDPS Act were not applicable in the present case.

Taking into account the period of custody undergone by the accused and the quantity of ganja seized, the Court granted them regular bail. The accused were directed to execute personal bonds of Rs 25,000 each with two sureties for the like amount. They were also ordered to appear before Customs authorities every Wednesday for eight weeks, or until the filing of the charge sheet, whichever is earlier, and to comply with all other conditions prescribed under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Accordingly, the High Court allowed both criminal petitions.