Nesco concert drug deaths: Ninth accused held while fleeing to Goa

Police indicated the crime was serious and complex, stating the need to determine the origin of the drugs and to question organisers’ staff and the security company Safecure associated with Nesco.

The court also ordered judicial custody for Raunak Khandelwal, Akash Samal, Sunny Jain, Balkrishna Kurup and Pratik Pandey, and rejected pleas from some defence lawyers alleging illegal arrests and due-process concerns.

Anand Patel, Vineet Gerlani and Aayush Sahitya were remanded to police custody till April 20 as investigations continued.

Borivali metropolitan magistrate court ordered judicial custody for Raunak Khandelwal, Akash Samal, Sunny Jain, Balkrishna Kurup and Pratik Pandey, the first five accused.

In a search of Vineet Gerlani’s house in Ulhasnagar, police recovered five ecstasy tablets (MDMA), weighing around 305 grams and valued at ₹20,000.

During Vineet Gerlani’s interrogation, police learnt he and Sahitya had strong links with bouncers and security guards deployed at the Nesco venue. The duo allegedly entered the event without tickets by bribing guards and bouncers, entering through gate number 9 of Hall Number 5.

Aayush Vicky Sahitya, a 24-year-old Ulhasnagar resident, was intercepted at Poladpur in Raigad district in a joint operation by Vanrai police and Raigad police while allegedly attempting to flee to Goa. He is described as the main drug supplier in the case and is linked to financial dealings with other accused; authorities say he also paid bouncers and security guards to gain illegal entry to the Nesco venue.

Two 24-year-old MBA students died on April 12, 2026, a day after allegedly consuming alcohol and ecstasy pills during a music concert at the Nesco Ground, Goregaon East. A third student remained under treatment at Bombay Hospital in Marine Lines.