Two partygoers interrogated

The Juhu police on Monday interrogated two of the 44 patrons who tested positive for drugs after the sundown party at Hotel Oakwood Premier was busted on May 20.

The Juhu police on Monday interrogated two of the 44 patrons who tested positive for drugs after the sundown party at Hotel Oakwood Premier was busted on May 20.

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“We have recorded statements of two persons and have interrogated them. This is to ascertain which penal sections will be applied,” said N Diwar, inspector at Juhu police station.

The police said that the persons would be produced before a court where they will express their willingness to either undergo a de-addiction program or serve the punishment. The process will be overlooked by a committee comprising an assistant commissioner of police, a senior inspector, an NGO representative, and a doctor from JJ hospital.

“The persons will be booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. However, they will be treated as victims and stronger action will be taken against the party organisers and the drug peddlers,” said another officer at the Juhu police station.

The police said summons are being sent in parts since the police want to conduct detailed interrogations. “We have given them a week to respond, after which punitive action will be taken against them,” said the officer.

After the raid, the partygoers were taken to hospitals where the doctors collected their blood and urine samples, following which they were asked to sign an undertaking stating that if their medical tests proved they had consumed drugs, they would arrive at police stations whenever summoned, the police said.