Bombay HC Grants Bail To 26-Year-Old Wrestler Kyle Cummings Arrested In Methamphetamine Smuggling Case

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted bail to 23-year-old wrestler Kyle Cummings from Pune, who was arrested on May 21, 2024, for allegedly ordering 281 grams of methamphetamine (MDMA) from Belgium. Cummings, an international arm-wrestling representative for India, was arrested along with two others under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch (SIIB) intercepted a parcel at the foreign post office based on specific intelligence. Upon inspection, it contained 230 grams of MDMA. Officials forwarded the package to Yerwada, Pune, and set a trap.

The parcel’s consignee, Shrawan Joshi, was arrested after collecting it and paying customs duty. Following this, investigators linked and arrested Cummings and Aryan Haldankar, booking all three under the NDPS Act.

Cummings’ earlier bail plea was rejected by the sessions court, citing sufficient evidence of his involvement. However, during the High Court hearing, Cummings’ advocate, Lakshmi Raman, argued that the arrest was unlawful. She referred to a Division Bench order granting bail to Joshi, the alleged prime accused, as the parcel was addressed to him. She contended that Cummings deserved similar relief.

The prosecution opposed the plea, alleging that Cummings was the main conspirator who used Joshi’s name and address to order the contraband. Despite this, Justice Manish Pitale granted Cummings bail, observing procedural violations in the arrests of both Cummings and Joshi, as outlined by the Supreme Court.

Cummings was released on conditions, including reporting to the Airport Special Cargo Commissionerate in Andheri East, Mumbai, on the first Monday of every month until the trial concludes. The case involves commercial quantities of methamphetamine and MDMA, a Schedule I narcotic under the NDPS Act.