Express News Service

Mumbai, Dec 21: The second round of tests on suspects rounded up at the Juhu rave party are out, and 36 out of 43 have tested positive for MDMA (ecstasy). Included in the 43 are the 15 main accused, including peddlers, a DJ and the organisers.

The 15 are expected to face the most stringent action under various sections of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act and can face imprisonment up to six months. Thirteen of the main accused have tested positive. The latest results are in addition to the first batch of 119 test results, of which 109 tested positive bringing the total people tested positive to 145.

“This has just strengthened our case against the main accused as they too were consuming drugs,” said DCP V Nangre-Patil of the Anti Narcotics cell.

The rave, at Bombay 72 Degrees East, a club near Juhu church on October 5, was busted by the Anti Narcotics Cell in which 231 revellers were rounded up. The squad posing as revellers entered the party to confirm if drugs were being consumed. As many as 87 of the accused are students, while 80 were employees of reputed firms. Some of them were film artistes, models, DJs, Air Hostesses etc. A total of Rs 9,57,000 worth of drugs like LSD, ecstasy and charas were seized along with Rs 1,56,000 in cash.

Out of the 13 main accused is Ben Shimon (27) who is also in the dock for not carrying a valid employment visa. Shimon had flown into the city for a day with a tourist visa especially for the party. Ilyas Shaikh (26), Nilroy Gonsalves (48) and Stanley Fernandes (41) who were with the party organisers also tested positive to substance abuse while Yunus Sheikh (20) and Nikesh Davane (20) tested negative. All the peddlers tested positive.

While the peddlers, organisers and Shimon face up to six months in jail, the others who consumed drugs would be considered as victims and were likely to get bail if they volunteer to undergo a government-approved rehabilitation course.