A night of revelry turned into a heartbreaking incident for a renowned business college in South Mumbai, as two students tragically lost their lives purportedly due to a drug overdose, while two of their peers were apprehended on charges of drug distribution.
Authorities reported that MBA students Shreya Rai from Lucknow and Bismad Bhasin from Delhi, residing in a hostel in South Mumbai, died following an alleged overdose at a rave concert in Goregaon East on April 11. Another student, Sheetal Salvi, managed to survive and is currently recovering in a hospital in Mumbai.
The police investigation indicated that the trio was among a group of 15 students attending a techno music event at an exhibition venue, which attracted an audience of approximately 3,000 to 4,000, predominantly college attendees.
Details gathered during the investigation suggested that the synthetic drug “ecstasy” was distributed through a network starting with a suspected dealer, Anand Patel from Kalyan. During questioning, Patel admitted to supplying the drug to student Pratik Pandey a day prior to the event. Pandey then allegedly transferred the substance to another classmate, Raunak Khandelwal, who subsequently provided it to Rai, Bhasin, and Salvi.
Both Pandey and Khandelwal have been arrested and charged with distributing drugs among their peers. Police uncovered that Patel had previously supplied drugs to Pandey, indicating a continuing connection.
Further investigations revealed that some students consumed drugs even before arriving at the venue, including inside a taxi, and took additional doses while at the concert. By late evening, Rai, Bhasin, and Salvi began to exhibit severe respiratory issues and collapsed.
Rai and Salvi were transported to a nearby trauma hospital, while Bhasin was taken to Lifeline Hospital. Medical staff notified the police, who arrived to find Rai and Bhasin unconscious, with Salvi in stable condition. Based on Salvi’s testimony, which confirmed their drug use, a case was initiated.
Tragically, both Shreya Rai and Bismad Bhasin were pronounced dead during medical treatment.
The Vanrai Police have detained six individuals, including students Pratik Pandey and Raunak Khandelwal, event organizer Akash Samal, and two employees from NESCO, Samir Jain alias Sani and Kurup Balkrishna, along with the alleged drug supplier Anand Patel. All suspects were presented in court and have been remanded into police custody until April 16.
Authorities noted that some students had previously attended events in areas like Bandra-Kurla Complex, where drug use was reportedly prevalent.
The remains of the deceased have been sent to the forensic laboratory in Kalina for chemical testing, with officials stating that the definitive cause of death will be established once the forensic analysis is completed.
A case has been filed under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police have gathered statements from around 15 individuals and are continuing their investigation.
This incident has sparked criticism from political opposition parties, with Congress alleging that the illegal drug trade is thriving under governmental oversight. Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshwardhan Sapkal expressed concern, stating, “At a live music concert held at the NESCO complex in Goregaon, alcohol and drugs were consumed openly. The police and government failed to act until two lives were lost; now they are merely showcasing a response. How could the police overlook a drug party involving thousands of youths in one area of Mumbai?”
The NCP (SP) also criticized the government for its inaction regarding drug trafficking, demanding the establishment of a Special Investigation Team to examine the drug network in Maharashtra. Spokesperson Amol Matele stated that failure to do so would lead to their party mobilizing for justice.
The administration at Mumbai University, to which the college is affiliated, expressed its sorrow over the untimely deaths of the two students, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to student welfare and safety. They announced plans to enhance awareness campaigns, counseling services, and preventive measures to avert similar incidents in the future. “May the souls of the departed find peace, and may their families find the strength to endure this sorrow,” the university’s statement concluded.
Manish Kumar Pathak is a dedicated journalist for The Indian Express, specializing in crime reporting with a focus on law enforcement, fraud, and cybersecurity issues in the metropolitan area.
