22 April,2026 10:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Investigators have identified Ayush Sahitya (kneeling) as a key figure in the supply chain
Multiple accused in the NESCO drug overdose death case have approached the sessions court seeking bail, even as investigators intensify their probe into what they describe as a "spider-web-like" drug syndicate operating across the MMR.
One of the key accused - identified as Accused No. 1, a student - has filed a bail plea after being remanded to judicial custody along with four others. The application is likely to come up for hearing today, with the sessions court seeking a response from the Vanrai police.
Simultaneously, the counsel for two other arrested accused linked to the NESCO concert is also set to move the sessions court for bail, confirmed by his counsel. On Tuesday evening, the police detained one more accused from Kalyan.
>> Accused No. 1 (student) has moved to the sessions court
>> Four co-accused also in judicial custody
>> Hearing likely today; Vanrai police response awaited
>> Two more accused expected to file bail pleas
Investigators have uncovered a student-led procurement network linked to the concert. Police said a group of students who attended the event allegedly ordered drugs, with payments routed through a female student. She collected money online from multiple people and transferred it to the drug peddlers. The digital money trail emerged during scrutiny of bank transactions of the accused. The student is currently being questioned.
Investigators have identified Ayush Sahitya as a key figure in the supply chain.
Police said Sahitya came from a struggling background after his father's electronics business allegedly collapsed due to alcohol
addiction. He is believed to have entered drug trafficking in pursuit of quick money.
According to investigators, Sahitya targeted high-profile events and music concerts, where drugs could be sold at premium prices.
Police are examining bank transactions of the accused. Officials said many people who transferred or received money are being called in for questioning. The probe indicates involvement of a larger, organised drug syndicate across Mumbai, Thane, nearby regions.
After the arrests of Anand Patel, Veenit Gerelani, and Shubh Agarwal, Sahitya went underground. Police said he fled Mumbai towards Goa and was allegedly planning to move onward to Bengaluru. To evade detection, he avoided using his own phone and accessed the internet through a friend's device. Acting on intelligence, Mumbai Police's Zone 12 coordinated with the Raigad Crime Branch. A highway blockade was set up by Poladpur police, and Sahitya's photograph was circulated. He was intercepted in an early morning operation, arrested, and later handed over to the Mumbai Police on Saturday.
>> Students allegedly pooled money online
>> Payments routed through a relative of Ayush
>> Funds transferred to arrested peddlers
>> Transactions traced through bank records
