Hyderabad: Despite multiple criminal cases, preventive detention orders and repeated police action over the years, an alleged ganja distribution network operating from Nanakramguda area is once again under the spotlight. The Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) has now initiated steps to attach the property of alleged supplier Neetu Bai, who has been absconding in cases registered in May and June this year.Neetu Bai alias Kalapathi Nithu Bai is accused of running a family-assisted ganja retail operation from a basti in Nanakramguda. Investigators say the network drew customers from the neighbouring Financial District and Gachibowli, attracting buyers across professions and income groups.“She is currently absconding. We have approached the revenue divisional officer to seize her property. We are awaiting the orders of the RDO,” EAGLE director Sandeep Shandilya told TOI.The latest action has renewed attention on how the alleged retail hub continued functioning despite arrests, prosecutions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the invocation of preventive detention laws in the past.49 consumers caughtOn June 10, officers of the Cyberabad Narcotics police station conducted surveillance at Lodha basti in Nanakramguda. During the operation, police apprehended 49 alleged consumers who had reportedly arrived at Neetu Bai’s residence to purchase ganja.While Neetu Bai was named as the prime accused in the case, police said she allegedly managed to escape after noticing officers detaining customers in the lane outside her house.Investigators said those detained represented a cross section of society, including employees of leading IT firms, food-delivery platforms, educational institutions and finance companies, highlighting the alleged network’s wide customer base.Two other cases registered during the same period also identified Neetu Bai as the alleged supplier. In a case registered on May 11, a student allegedly told police that he had been purchasing ganja from her for nearly two years. She was named as the second accused and shown as absconding.In another case registered on June 15, a restaurant cashier allegedly disclosed that he procured ganja from Neetu Bai in Nanakramguda. In that case, she was listed as the fourth accused and was also shown as absconding.‘Family involved’Police allege that Neetu Bai operated the network with the assistance of her husband, sons and daughter. Investigators claim family members helped sell ganja from their residence while Neetu Bai acted as the principal operator.According to police records, the location provided easy access to customers from Hyderabad’s IT corridor while enabling retail sales from within a densely populated settlement. Investigators allege that the family procured ganja in bulk, repackaged it into smaller quantities and sold it through both their residence and associated kirana shop operations.History of preventive detentionCourt records show that authorities have invoked preventive detention provisions against Neetu Bai on more than one occasion.A detention order issued on Oct 1, 2021, was based on three cases registered by the Serilingampally prohibition and excise station. Telangana high court later upheld the detention and dismissed a challenge to the order on March 21, 2022.A second preventive detention order was issued on June 12, 2024, based on cases registered at Gachibowli, Kollur and Moinabad police stations. However, the high court quashed the detention on Oct 17, 2024, observing that ordinary criminal law remedies, including bail conditions and cancellation of bail, were available to the authorities.The court also dismissed anticipatory bail petitions filed by Neetu Bai in two subsequent cases in 2025.Despite the previous criminal cases and preventive action, police allege that the Nanakramguda retail network continued operating and serving regular customers in 2026. Investigators are now pursuing property attachment proceedings, continuing efforts to trace Neetu Bai and examining the alleged involvement of her family members in the operation.
