The investigation into the deadly drug overdose at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon has widened, with the arrest of a seventh accused, Vineet Gerelani, 22, exposing what police believe could be a well-organised narcotics network operating at high-profile music events across the city. The Vanrai police arrested Gerelani from the Kalyan-Ulhasnagar belt on Wednesday, identifying him as a key intermediary in the drug supply chain.
According to investigators, Gerelani supplied Ecstasy pills to accused Anand Patel, 24, who subsequently distributed the drugs among students at the concert and other events. Police probing the case uncovered crucial digital and financial evidence linking the accused to a larger network. According to the police, call detail records (CDRs) confirmed frequent contact between the arrested accused and absconding suppliers, Ayush Sahitya and Shubh Agarwal. WhatsApp chats and deleted group conversations revealed drug procurement and payment details, while Snapchat transactions indicated bulk drug deals and distribution to multiple individuals.
Advocates Surendra Landge and Azad Gupta, appearing for Anand Patel (accused no. 6) and Gerelani, argued before the court that both individuals were arrested solely based on mobile phone conversations and chat records. They further contended that no drugs were recovered from either of the accused, questioning the grounds of their arrest.
Police custody extended
Meanwhile, on Thursday, all seven accused were produced before the Borivali metropolitan magistrate court, which extended police custody of accused no. 1 to 6, and granted fresh custody for Gerelani, till April 18.
Main suppliers on the run
>> Sahitya and Agarwal were at the concert venue on the night of April 11
>> They were in touch with arrested accused before and during the event
>> Gerelani was in direct financial and communication contact with them
During interrogation…
>> Accused number 5 (a student) admitted receiving Ecstasy pills from Patel
>> Patel confessed to sourcing the drugs from Sahitya
>> Investigators found that 20 pills were supplied in one instance alone
Students’ statements
Around 25 students had attended the concert on April 11. Two died after a suspected drug overdose, while a female student remains hospitalised, in stable condition. So far, the Vanrai police have recorded the statements of 17 students who attended the event, though granting them temporary relief to appear for exams. Two of the accused also sat for an exam after obtaining permission from the court.
