On Thursday, the Vanrai police apprehended a 22-year-old college student from South Mumbai, which brings the total number of individuals implicated in the case concerning the fatalities of two management students due to an alleged drug overdose at a Goregaon concert to seven.

The individual arrested, Vineet Gerelani, is believed to have been involved in drug trafficking and was present at the NESCO Exhibition Centre event alongside other suspects who are still being sought by authorities.

Investigators disclosed that a forensic analysis of Gerelani’s mobile phone uncovered suspected drug-related messages exchanged with several contacts via Snapchat. Additionally, police identified UPI transactions associated with another co-accused who remains at large. Data from his location indicated he was at the concert on April 11, and call logs revealed he maintained frequent communication with other suspects.

A police official stated, “The messages suggest his participation in the large-scale distribution of illegal substances,” referencing details included in the remand application.

Gerelani was presented in a local court alongside six other previously arrested individuals, whose police custody period concluded on the same day. The court has ordered all seven to remain in police custody until April 18.

Earlier arrests included two classmates of the deceased students, event organizer Akash Samal, NESCO employees Samir Jain, also known as Sani, and Kurup Balkrishna, as well as Anand Patel, an alleged supplier from Kalyan. Police investigations have traced the suspected drug supply to Patel, who reportedly provided MDMA pills to a student the day before the concert, after which the drugs were allegedly distributed among classmates attending the event.

Authorities are currently scrutinizing Gerelani’s financial transactions and call records to determine the origin of the drugs and identify buyers, while also intensifying efforts to locate additional suspects connected to the supply network.

This investigation pertains to the deaths of two management students who were among a group of approximately 20 to 22 attendees at a techno music concert. Law enforcement suspects that the students ingested MDMA (ecstasy) during the event. Both victims were enrolled at a business school in the city and resided in a hostel in South Mumbai. A third student who accompanied them has survived and is presently recovering in a hospital.

Manish Kumar Pathak is a committed journalist for The Indian Express, reporting from Mumbai. His work reflects substantial expertise in the intricate field of crime reporting, with a keen focus on law enforcement activities, fraud, and cybersecurity challenges prevalent in the metropolitan area.

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