Juhu sundown party: Cops send summons to 86

The police have started issuing summons to 86 people who tested positive for consuming drugs at the sundown party at the Oakwood Premier hotel in Juhu, busted by the police on May 20.

The police have started issuing summons to 86 people who tested positive for consuming drugs at the sundown party at the Oakwood Premier hotel in Juhu, busted by the police on May 20.

HT Image

The Juhu police have given them a week to respond to the summons. If the people fail to visit the Juhu police station in the given period, punitive action will be taken, the police said.

“As per the court order, we started calling in those who had tested positive, in batches of five to six a day. They are being booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and as per the law, they are being released on bail after their statements are recorded,” said Pratap Dighavkar, zonal deputy commissioner of police.

They will later be produced in court, where they can either express willingness to undergo a de-addiction programme, or serve out the punishment. A committee comprising an assistant commissioner of police, a senior inspector, a representative from an NGO, and a doctor from JJ hospital will overlook the process, Dighavkar said.

Cricketer Rahul Sharma, who was reportedly among those who tested positive, is currently on tour to Sri Lanka and may be questioned on his return. “His case will be decided later,” said Arun Bhagat, senior inspector, Juhu police station.

Dighavkar said, “We will treat the patrons as victims. Stronger action will be taken against party organisers and drug peddlers.”