28 June,2011 06:20 AM IST | | Kaumudi Gurjar
Party promoted as Shanti Jatra on networking sites allegedly a lead-up to bigger one to be held in October
Theu00a0rave party at Karjat was purportedly just a preview. A search on the Internet has revealed that it was promoted as a precursor to a bigger event, the Shanti Jatra Organic Festival to be organised in Nepal from October 11 to October 13.u00a0 It was also advertised that those attending the party at Karjat would be able to avail tickets for the Nepal event at low prices. The police said the organisers had used code words such as Shanti Jatra or peace fair for the rave to throw them off track.
Representation Pic
On Sunday, the Raigad Police arrested five people including the party organiser and Police Inspector Anil Jadhav of the Anti Narcotics Cell for possession and consumption of drugs and its abetment under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. "All the five arrested were produced in court and have been remanded in custody for four days.
Nothing to rave about: The rave at Raigad was promoted on social
networking sites using code words such as Shanti Jatra
After interrogating them we will understand how they advertised the event through social networking sites," said Superintendent of Raigad D N Shinde yesterday. "We had detained 290 present at the party, most of who were released after their blood samples were collected. If the results show they had consumed narco substance, they will be arrested. Of the 231 male and 59 female participants, 50 men are still in custody. The detainees, mostly in the age group of 20-30, are from Mumbai and Navi Mumbai."
Promotion on net
The organisers of the rave had promoted the event on social networking website facebook by calling it Shanti Jatra promo party feat. It was allegedly targeted only at those interested in partying hard and doping. The event was organised at Mount View resort in Karjat by Beyond Logic, an event management company. A band ABSOLUM was also roped in to provide the music.
The page promoting the rave was later removed from facebook. The cached version of the page shows that the event was minutely planned. MiD DAY chanced on a person who had come to the aid of five of his friends at Mount View resort. He said his friends had evaded arrest by locking themselves up in a room throughout the night without making a sound or moving.
Sources said Beyond Logic had conducted such high-profile, high-turnout parties even 10 years ago. Those participating in these parties said many revellers arrived with their own substance. Besides, five to six drug peddlers were generally present at such events to supply first-timers and provide additional stock wherever required. The invitations for such parties are generally sent out social networking sites, SMSes and word of mouth.
