17 April,2026 01:41 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Vineet Gerelani (with face covered) in police custody. Pic/By Special Arrangement
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 NESCO 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. Investigators said Gerelani's mobile phone contained "critical chats" proving large-scale drug supply and monetary exchanges with the main accused.
Police officials stated that such large-scale drug circulation at the venue was "unlikely without insider involvement."
Around 25 students had attended the concert on April 11. Two, including a young woman, died after a suspected drug overdose, while one female student remains hospitalised, currently 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.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, all seven accused were produced before the Borivli metropolitan magistrate court, which extended police custody of accused no. 1 to 6, and granted fresh custody for Gerelani, till April 18.
Sahitya and Agarwal were at the concert venue on the night of April 11
They were in constant touch with the arrested accused before and during the event
Gerelani was in direct financial and communication contact with them
A massive manhunt has been launched to trace the duo.
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
The probe has now extended to event organisers and internal staff:
Allegations of allowing drug consumption for profit motives
The event reportedly continued beyond permitted hours (till 12.30 am)
Claims of illegal alcohol service to underage attendees
Suspicion of internal support enabling drug distribution at scale
Investigators have flagged a disturbing trend:
Similar drug use was reported at previous events held at the same venue
Arrested accused admitted to consuming drugs during earlier techno parties
Location data places multiple accused at past NESCO events as well
Advocate Surendra Landge, secretary of the Borivli Bar Association, along with his associate advocate Azad Gupta, appeared in court to represent Anand Patel (accused no. 6) and Vineet Gerelani.
The defence argued before the court that both individuals were arrested solely on the basis of 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.
