Bengaluru couple arrested for growing ganja plants in balcony, exposed by own Facebook video

The raid resulted in the seizure of around 54 grams of cannabis. (Representational)

A Bengaluru couple was arrested after inadvertently revealing two ganja plants growing in their balcony garden when they posted a Facebook video. Sagar Gurung, 37, and his wife, Urmila Kumari, 38, were taken into custody by Bengaluru police, who acted on online discussions sparked by the video, which surfaced on October 18. The duo allegedly attempted to discard the plants in a hurried cover-up when officers arrived for a search.

The couple, hailing from Namchi, Sikkim, have been living in the city’s MSR Nagar, Sadashivanagar area for the past two years. Sagar runs a small eatery while his wife Urmila, a homemaker, recently began sharing videos of their life, including their plant-filled balcony. Among the decorative flora, two ganja plants stood undetected—until the video caught the attention of social media users who flagged the plants to authorities.

Following the tip-off, the police conducted a raid on November 5. At first, the couple was uncooperative, refusing to answer questions about the saplings. Upon closer inspection, officers discovered two empty flower pots—evidence that the plants had been hastily removed. Under pressure, the couple admitted to growing ganja, leading officers to a dustbin where they had attempted to dispose of the plants.

The raid resulted in the seizure of around 54 grams of cannabis and 17 flower pots in total, with two confirmed to have contained ganja. Police are investigating whether the plants were being grown for sale, as opposed to personal use. They also suspect that relatives may have tipped off Urmila, giving her time to attempt hiding the plants.

Urmila’s mobile phone, used to upload the incriminating video, was also seized. The police have since been examining the device for any digital traces of a larger network or additional buyers. Although Urmila initially denied uploading the video, officers were able to confirm her activity from the post timestamped October 18.

Following their arrest, the couple was released on bail, though they face ongoing legal proceedings under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Last month, a group of higher secondary school students from Kerala’s Thrissur on a study tour to Munnar ended up in the crosshairs of law enforcement after mistaking a narcotics squad office for a workshop and boldly asking for a matchbox to light a beedi rolled with gaanja. The teenagers were caught by authorities and legal proceedings initiated.