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Nesco concert drug deaths: Two peddlers remanded, cops seek to interrogate them with main supplier
Two peddlers linked to the Nesco concert drug case were remanded to police custody on May 4, 2026, as investigators plan to confront them with the alleged kingpin. The kingpin, Mahesh Khemlani, was arrested on May 2, and police are probing financial links and overseas connections involving his live-in partner. Investigations also involve money trails via QR payments and the role of Jiya Jacob.
Why It Matters
The case points to possible international drug trafficking links and financial networks, with police aiming to map the supply chain from an offshore hub to India.
Timeline
9 Events
Search of Khemlani's residence planned; wider network anticipated
May 4, 2026
Authorities are preparing to search Khemlani’s residence, and custodial interrogation is expected to reveal a wider international narcotics network.
Khemlani's Hong Kong business under scrutiny for drug-trafficking front
May 4, 2026
Officials said Khemlani runs an import-export business in Hong Kong and are probing whether it was used as a front to traffic drugs into India and other countries.
Jiya Jacob questioned; link to Khemlani's alleged role emerges
May 4, 2026
Jacob, a Mira Road East resident and four-year live-in partner of Khemlani, was questioned, with investigators saying her statements helped point to Khemlani’s alleged role in the racket.
Money trails revealed via QR code payments
May 4, 2026
Investigations revealed multiple QR-code-based transactions: Anand Patel ₹64,000; Vineet Gerelani ₹22,500; Shubh Agarwal ₹1,66,400; Ayush Sahitya ₹1,84,600. Police also found that Khemlani operated Jacob’s Axis Bank account for suspected drug-related transactions.
Investigators plan face-to-face interrogation with kingpin to unravel financial links
May 4, 2026
Officials said they intend to confront the peddlers with Mahesh Khemlani alias Mark to map financial links between him, his live-in partner Jiya Jacob, and the two accused as part of tracing the drug-trafficking network.
Two peddlers remanded to police custody on Monday
May 4, 2026
Vanrai police sought custody of the two peddlers after their earlier judicial custody and, in a magistrate court hearing on Monday, Vineet Gerelani and Ayush Sahitya were remanded to police custody.
Khemlani arrested at Mumbai airport on return from Thailand
May 2, 2026
Khemlani, described as a Hong Kong-based businessman, was arrested at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on May 2 on his return from Thailand as part of the Nesco concert drug investigations.
Earlier judicial custody for peddlers
May 2026
Vineet Gerelani and Ayush Sahitya were previously sent to judicial custody by the Borivali magistrate court before being remanded to police custody.
Khemlani produced before Metropolitan Magistrate holiday court; remanded to police custody
May 1, 2026
Khemlani was produced before a Metropolitan Magistrate holiday court on Friday and remanded to police custody till May 6. Authorities indicated custodial interrogation aimed at uncovering whether the Hong Kong-based business operates as a front for drug trafficking and to map links with his live-in partner Jiya Jacob.