Hyderabad Fatal Accident Uncovers Student Drug Network
HYDERABAD: A fatal road accident in February has led Telangana’s Elite Action Group for Drug Law Enforcement (EAGLE) to uncover a suspected drug abuse network involving students of a premier institute in the city.
At least 20 students are under the police scanner for alleged violations of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, officials said. Police have written to the college management seeking cooperation to address the issue and rehabilitate those involved.
Crash in Shamirpet triggers deeper investigation
The accident occurred in Shamirpet when five students were returning from a food court on two motorcycles. “One bike carrying three students hit a transport vehicle. One died, while two escaped unhurt,” an EAGLE official said.
“Later, we found all five were under the influence of drugs. The deceased was carrying ganja, which went missing after the accident,” the official added.
Following a tip-off from a college insider, police detained two students present during the incident and conducted drug tests. “One tested positive for ganja. During counselling, he said students sourced drugs from another student on campus,” an official said.
Probe widens; foreign students among those under watch
Police launched a discreet investigation to avoid panic on campus. Preliminary findings indicated widespread ganja use within and around the institute.
“We summoned three more students, but they tested negative. At least 14 others, including one from Bangladesh and one from Nepal, are yet to be traced,” an investigator said.
Officials said efforts are on to track those named during the probe.
Police flag lack of cooperation from colleges
Police also criticised anti-drug committees in colleges for not sharing information. “Institutions fear reputational damage and withhold details. Our focus is on identifying suppliers and helping students recover,” an EAGLE official said.
“By not reporting such cases, colleges are putting students’ lives at risk,” the official added.
Separately, police are revisiting the death of a student on the same campus in October 2025. While the institute had cited choking on food, officials now suspect possible drug involvement. “We are verifying the actual cause of death,” an official said.
