The Telangana High Court delivered a significant ruling on Thursday, refusing to grant any interim relief to the brother of a well-known actress. The individual is embroiled in a drug-related case filed at the Masab Tank police station in Hyderabad. Justice Tirumala Devi Eada declined to quash the First Information Report (FIR) or provide protection from arrest at this juncture. The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 19.
Defence Arguments: Consumption Claims and Police Harassment
During the proceedings, the counsel representing the accused presented a multi-pronged defence. He argued that his client was named solely as a consumer in the official documents, including the FIR and the chargesheet. Highlighting the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the lawyer pointed out that the maximum punishment for consumption is limited to one year of imprisonment or mandatory counselling. He emphasized that this sentencing aspect falls under the purview of the trial court.
The defence further alleged that the petitioner was facing undue harassment from the police. A key point of contention was a series of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions amounting to Rs 40,000. The counsel strenuously asserted that these payments were legitimate, related to real estate business dealings, and had no connection whatsoever with the alleged purchase of narcotics.
Prosecution's Counter: Strong Evidence and Supreme Court Mandate
The Additional Public Prosecutor strongly rebutted the claims made by the defence. The prosecution described the financial transactions between the petitioner and other key accused individuals as compelling evidence of his involvement in the case. Citing established guidelines from the Supreme Court of India, the prosecutor argued that it was imperative for the accused to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and face the legal process in trial.
Case Background and Ongoing Probe
This case, which has drawn considerable attention, was officially registered in December 2024. It involves charges under both the stringent NDPS Act and the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While the police have labelled the actress's brother as absconding in their reports, the investigation has led to tangible seizures. Law enforcement officials have confirmed the recovery of substances identified as cocaine and MDMA from other accused persons linked to the same case file.
The court's decision to deny interim relief underscores the seriousness with which it views the evidence presented at this stage. The matter now awaits further judicial scrutiny on the scheduled date in mid-January.
