Toxicology Reports Confirm Ecstasy In Deaths Of Two Students At Mumbais Nesco Concert

The toxicology reports of two management students who died after falling ill during a music concert at NESCO in Goregaon in April have confirmed the presence of MDMA (ecstasy) in their bodies, corroborating investigators’ suspicion that the women had consumed the party drug, police sources said. Investigators have also uncovered an alleged international supply chain through which the contraband was smuggled into India from the United States, concealed inside paint containers.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has submitted its toxicology reports confirming MDMA in samples collected from the deceased students. The Vanrai police, yet to file a chargesheet, found that the contraband was allegedly sourced from the US through courier services. According to investigators, the ecstasy pills were wrapped in rubber or plastic and hidden inside paint containers to avoid detection during transit.

Police officers familiar with narcotics investigations said drug traffickers often conceal contraband within legitimate consignments to evade law enforcement. “If ecstasy pills are packed in small rubber balls and hidden inside paint containers, they can be difficult to identify during routine screening. Drug syndicates have also been known to conceal narcotics inside chocolate boxes, with packets wrapped in colours similar to actual chocolates. During X-ray scanning, such consignments can appear similar to genuine products, making them difficult to differentiate,” a senior officer said.

In April, the Mumbai Crime Branch’s Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) seized 5,000 MDMA pills worth around Rs 6 crore and arrested a woman from Titwala. Officers found that a drug syndicate had allegedly sourced 25,000 ecstasy pills from a European country and smuggled them into India concealed within a garment consignment, which escaped detection during routine scanning before it was intercepted. The seizure was among the largest ecstasy pill hauls made by the Mumbai police.

The case relates to the deaths of Shreya Rai, 24, and Sheetal Salvi, 25, second-year MBA students at a South Mumbai management institute, who attended a techno music concert at NESCO on April 11 along with a group of friends. Both women complained of dizziness and discomfort while dancing at the event, attended by an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people. They were taken to a trauma hospital around 12.30 am on April 12 and later shifted to Bombay Hospital after their condition deteriorated. Rai died later that day; Salvi succumbed nearly a week later.

A third student from the same institute, Bismat Singh Amarjit Singh Bhasin, 28, also attended the concert. He consumed alcohol at the event, later complained of uneasiness, and died during treatment at Lifeline Medicare Hospital.

“MDMA was detected in the samples. Considering the high-profile nature of the case, the analysis was expedited and the report submitted at the earliest,” an FSL source said. A senior police officer confirmed the reports had been received. “Doctors will now examine the findings and determine the final cause of death,” the officer said.

Soon after the incident, the Vanrai police registered a case of culpable homicide along with relevant provisions of the NDPS Act. Ten persons have been named, including a classmate of the deceased students, event organisers, a security guard and alleged drug peddlers.

Investigators identified Ayush Vickey Sahitya, 24, from the Kalyan-Ulhasnagar belt, as the alleged mastermind behind the supply of “Mercedes” ecstasy pills. Four arrested accused — Ayush Sahitya, Anand Patel, Shubh Agarwal and Vineet Garelani — allegedly supplied pills to students and gained illegal entry to the concert by bribing security guard Pradeep Gupta. Two suspects remain absconding.

Meanwhile, two accused, including an employee of the NESCO Exhibition Centre, were granted bail by the Bombay High Court on Friday. The remaining eight continue to be in judicial custody.

Manish Kumar Pathak is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates substantial Expertise and Authority across the complex field of crime reporting, with a strong focus on law enforcement actions, fraud, and cyber security challenges facing the metropolitan region. Expertise & Authority Affiliation: Reports for the nationally recognized daily, The Indian Express, providing his content with high Trustworthiness. Geographical Focus: Provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of breaking news and investigative matters across Mumbai and the surrounding regions (e.g., Thane, Vasai). Core Authority: His reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial beats, including: Cyber & Financial Crime: Extensive coverage of sophisticated scams, including cases involving high-value cyber fraud, stock market manipulation scams, and fraudsters using government figures to gain trust. Law Enforcement & Investigation: Reports directly on major police actions, including arrests made by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in fraud cases (e.g., MHADA flat scams) and detailed coverage of murder and kidnapping investigations. Major Incidents & Public Safety: Covers significant incidents like building collapses, road accidents, and public safety issues such as theft at large public events. Defence & Maritime: Also covers key updates regarding the Indian Navy, including the commissioning of new vessels and strategic defense announcements. Manish Kumar Pathak's consistent focus on crime, fraud, and the workings of the Mumbai police system establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for critical news in Western India. ... Read More