5 more arrested in connection with Rave party

Pune, Mar 7 (UNI) Five more persons including two women were arrested today in connection with Sunday's Rave Party following disclosures by one of the main accused.

The police recovered drugs worth Rs 50 lakh in the international market further pointing to the involvement of international drugs syndicate.

The police suspect the involvement of Israeli and Russian drug peddlers in the rave party at a hotel in Khanapur near here from where 280 youths were arrested.

Rural Superintendent of Police Vishwas Nangre-Patil today told reporters that Dhruv, one of the main accused who was cooperating during interrogations last night, gave vital clues leading to the arrest of the five more persons today.

However, search for the main accused Shania, a foreigner is still on. The names of those arrested under section 25, 20 B, 26 and 18 of the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances(NDPS) are Ankush Babiya Singh Indrekar(48) who had already served a ten year term under the NDPS and released in 2003, Anil Suresh Abhange(35), Deepak Sawant Gaikwad(26), Zora Alias Sama Mushtaq Sheikh(35) and Ashrabi Fazal Mehboob Sheikh(38) all residents of Pune.

To a query whether the Police had violated the human rights, by arresting innocents, Nangre-Patil said,''We had information that it was a dedicated drug party. At no time we have treated the youngsters badly, they have received good treatment infact we had sought MCR for them so that they could get bail. We never opposed that as well, we are sympathetic towards them', he said.

When asked about the results of the medical tests, Nangre-Patil said that blood samples were taken nearly 30 hours after the arrest in which case the presence of any chemical gets diluted, however, even if there are some traces, they can get upto six months imprisonment. It is early to talk about the result but a chemical analyst is on the job', he said.

To another question about parents resorting to action against the police, Nangre-Patil said,'' we only arrested those who were dancing and were present at the party, not those who were on their way as is being claimed''.

Asked about the high profile people involved, Nangre-Patil admitted that some celebrities were named but these could be confirmed only after thorough investigations. Passports of the foreigners arrested have been impounded, he added.

On Sunday, 280 youngsters were arrested at the Rave Party of whom 7 were allegedly involved in drug peddling and are in police custody till March 9. The remaining were let off on bail the same day but due to procedural delays, their release has been delayed. Yesterday, the parents and relatives of the youngsters manhandled mediapersons for trying to get a glimpse of their wards.

UNI