Telangana HC Grants Bail in Hyderabad Toddy Adulteration Case

The Telangana High Court granted bail to an accused involved in alleged adulteration of toddy that reportedly led to multiple deaths and serious illnesses in Hyderabad. 

The judge was dealing with a criminal petition filed by Kuna Saiteja Goud, booked under provisions of the NDPS Act and the Telangana Excise Act in connection with a case registered at the Prohibition and Excise Station, Balanagar. 

According to the prosecution, in July 2025, several toddy consumers in Kukatpally fell ill after consuming adulterated toddy. It was stated that, the investigations revealed that toddy samples from a shop linked to the accused contained Alprazolam, a controlled substance.

It was alleged that the accused mixed the substance to increase demand, resulting in hospitalisations and reported deaths. Counsel for the petitioner



argued that the allegations were false and based primarily on inadmissible confessional statements, with no contraband recovered from the accused. 

It was further contended that the prosecution failed to establish the quantity of the alleged substance to attract the rigours of the NDPS Act and that there was no direct evidence linking the accused to the alleged deaths.

The State opposed the plea, submitting that the accused was the main person behind the adulteration and that the offence had serious public health consequences. 

The Court observed that the accused was in judicial custody for more than nine months, while the trial had not yet commenced and was unlikely to conclude in the near future. Considering these aspects, the judge held that continued incarceration would serve no useful purpose and granted bail.