Mumbai: The Vanrai police on Friday arrested the eighth suspect in connection with the alleged drug supply network linked to the deaths of two MBA students at a music concert at NESCO Goregaon on April 11. Shubh Agarwal, 21, an MBA student residing in Kalyan, was arrested for his role in the logistics of the narcotics trade. He was produced before the Borivali metropolitan magistrate court, which remanded him to police custody till April 20.
Investigators have identified Ayush Sahitya as a key link in the drug supply network. Sahitya remains absconding, and police efforts are underway to trace him. According to officials, Sahitya is suspected to be the primary supplier who provided street drug Ecstasy pills to other suspects, including Kalyan-based builder Anand Patel (who was arrested on Monday) and Vineet Gerelani.
Patel reportedly told interrogators that he had procured the pills from the absconding supplier, marking Sahitya as a central figure in the distribution racket. The police believe that his arrest will provide a breakthrough in identifying the source of the high-grade MDMA (chemical name for ecstacy) circulated during the event.
Advocates Surendra Landge and Azad Gupta appeared for the accused Shubh Agarwal.
The investigation also highlights the extensive involvement of Pratik Pandey, 24. Officers stated that Agarwal had collected a courier box containing drugs from Patel and subsequently handed it over to Pandey at Charni Road. Pandey, who was present at the concert venue on the night of the incident, is alleged to have purchased drugs two to three times in the past. For the April 11 event, he and other suspects reportedly bought Ecstasy pills at Rs 1,600 each. Pandey is suspected of being the immediate link who brought the narcotics into the venue for consumption among the group.
Police noted that the suspects were regular attendees at NESCO Centre events, suggesting a larger network operating at such gatherings. While the concert was permitted only until 10pm, it reportedly continued until 12.30am. Alcohol was also allegedly served to individuals under the age of 25, including the deceased Shreya Rai, 24, which is illegal. The victims are suspected to have consumed a lethal combination of both drugs and alcohol.
The case began after Rai and Bismaad Bhasin, 28, died of an MDMA overdose. Another attendee, Seetal Salvi, 25, remains under observation at Bombay Hospital. Prior to Agarwal’s arrest, police had detained Raunak Khandelwal, Akash Samal, Sunny Jain, Balakrishnan Kurup, Pandey, Patel, and Gerelani. Seven of the suspects are scheduled for a court appearance today (Saturday).
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