Hyderabad Culinary Students Arrested for Ganja Consumption at Birthday Party: Facing Rehabilitation and Legal Consequences

All six students were counselled in the presence of their parents and principal

Hyderabad:

Six students from the Culinary Academy of India (CAI) in Hyderabad were arrested after being caught consuming ganja during a birthday celebration.

According to information released by the Narcotics Police Station (HNPS) of the Eagle Force, 11 students initially admitted to using ganja when questioned. Drug tests conducted on urine samples, performed with parents and the college principal present, confirmed that six students tested positive for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is classified as a banned psychotropic substance under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The students involved were all in their final year of studying for Bachelor's degrees in Catering Technology and Culinary Arts. Those arrested were identified as Sakshi Emaliya (22), Mohit Shahi (21), Shubham Rawat (27), Carolina Cynthiya Harrison (19), Aric Jonathan Anthony (21), and Loy Baruah (22). They have been charged under the NDPS Act, 1985.

Following their arrest, the students underwent counselling sessions attended by their parents and Principal N Sudhakar Rao. They have subsequently been referred to a de-addiction center for rehabilitation treatment.

Police officials reported that both the students and their parents have requested withdrawal of the case upon successful completion of the rehabilitation program.

Investigations revealed that a mutual acquaintance named Jason, who resides in SR Nagar, allegedly supplied the ganja to students Loy Baruah and Aric Jonathan Anthony. Authorities are currently investigating this supplier connection.

The Eagle Force emphasized that this incident is not the first drug-related case at the Culinary Academy of India, mentioning previous arrests where students were released after counselling only.

"The recurrence of such incidents indicates institutional negligence in maintaining a drug-free campus environment," stated the HNPS in their official release.

Law enforcement criticized the college administration for their "limited response through student suspensions" and failure to address the issue seriously despite previous warnings.

The Eagle Force has now announced that any student discovered using drugs will face criminal charges and mandatory rehabilitation at a government de-addiction facility before their name can be removed from police records.

Parents of the affected students have suggested that the college implement surprise drug testing for suspected individuals as a preventive measure. The Eagle Force confirmed plans to conduct unexpected doping tests on students who attended the party to ensure they remain drug-free after completing rehabilitation.