Mumbai overdose deaths: Police say victims most likely popped more than one ecstasy pill each

Mumbai: Police officials investigating the death of two MBA students following consumption of ecstasy pills at a music concert in Goregaon (East) have said the duo likely had more than one pill each. While forensic reports, which would give the exact cause of death for the two studentsm is pending, police spoke to medical teams that carried out preliminary examinations.A 28-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman, part of a group of 25 MBA students attending a music concert at an exhibition ground on April 11, popped ecstasy pills and died a day later. A 25-year-old woman was critical after she too popped the drug and took ill. The survivor has been discharged from hospital and is back home now, said officers.Police have recorded statements of over 40 people, including witnesses from among the group of MBA students that attended the concert. On Tuesday, police summoned the sister of prime accused, Ayush Sahitya, for recording her statement as investigations showed another accused, Vineet Gerelani, had transferred her money while the music concert was on. Police are now looking for a major drug supplier with whom Sahitya was reportedly in touch. An individual is being questioned in this connection. Police are likely to come out with a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all large-scale events and shows, which will spell out responsibilities of each stakeholder. A source said that plainclothes cops will now be deployed inside venues, as part of the audience, to look out for any illegal activity, and won't be limited to handling traffic management outside the venue. "Organisers of events are already required to take official permission before such events, but the focus now will be on getting them to ensure alcohol and narcotics does not enter the venue," said an official. In the Goregaon case, a bouncer, Pradeep Gupta, had been arrested for providing unauthorised entry to Gerelani and Sahitya into the music concert for a bribe of Rs 1,000 each. A shuttered rear entrance from where they entered the concert is not covered by cameras. "As part of the SOP, organisers will have to ensure that only valid ticket holders access the premises through authorised entries. We are probing whether Gupta gave access to any other drug carriers through the shuttered rear entrance," said an official.