The Delhi High Court has granted bail to a woman accused of smuggling over 10 kg of ganja through the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. She allegedly posed as an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The court noted that the recovery involved an intermediate quantity of contraband and that she is HIV-positive and immunocompromised.
Allowing the bail plea, Justice Prateek Jalan observed that the recovery of 10.062 kg of ganja fell within the intermediate quantity category. This quantity was below the commercial quantity threshold, so the stringent conditions under Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act did not apply.
The woman was intercepted at Terminal-3 of the IGI Airport on November 8, 2025, after arriving from Bangkok. Customs officials found 20 polythene packets containing ganja, weighing 10.062 kg, along with a fake NIA identity card and an NIA-branded jacket in her baggage.
The accused was arrested on November 9, 2025, and charged under various provisions of the NDPS Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The prosecution alleged that she was part of a drug trafficking network and used fake law enforcement credentials to avoid detection.
The court considered the woman’s medical condition, noting that she is HIV-positive and requires uninterrupted antiretroviral therapy. It also addressed the allegation of impersonating a law enforcement officer but stated that bail could not be denied solely on that ground.
Taking into account factors such as the quantity of ganja involved, the stage of proceedings, and the accused’s medical condition, the court decided to grant bail. The accused must furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety of the same amount and adhere to specific conditions, including surrendering her passport and reporting to the local police station weekly.
