Law graduate dies, woman hospitalised after falling ill at music event in Mumbai; FIR against organisers

Mumbai: A 28-year-old law graduate died and a woman was hospitalised after they allegedly fell ill following suspected excessive alcohol consumption at a music event at Worli’s NSCI Dome on Saturday night. Police said the exact cause of death would be determined only after they receive the post-mortem and forensic reports.Tardeo police on Sunday booked the event organisers, Spacebound Web Labs CEO Karan Singh and manager Parag Narendra Uke, under BNS Sections 106 and 289 for causing death due to negligence and negligent conduct with respect to machinery. At night, police recorded Singh’s statement and served him a notice. Their lawyer, Zulfikar Memon, confirmed the FIR registration, but refused to elaborate, saying the matter is under investigation.The incident comes nearly two months after two MBA students — part of a group of 25 students from a management institute — allegedly popped ecstasy pills at a music concert at Exhibition Centre in Goregaon East and died the next day. The fatal drug overdose case had led to multiple arrests and a probe into a suspected narcotics supply network operating around music festivals and concerts.On Saturday night, Mahim resident Vrishabh Mahendra Gangurde and his friends attended the ‘Klangkuenstler All Night Long’ music event at NSCI Dome. According to police, Gangurde complained of health issues during the event and was rushed to Breach Candy Hospital, where he was declared dead during treatment.A woman, who attended the same event, was also hospitalised after complaining of ill health. Her condition is now stable, said police.Police said both had consumed alcohol, while preliminary findings suggest dehydration or a possible underlying medical condition may have contributed to the man’s death. Gangurde’s elder brother, who is a doctor at a private hospital, reportedly told police that the deceased was a “habitual drinker”.Police are recording statements of the deceased’s friends, event organisers, venue staff, and eyewitnesses, and are examining the CCTV footage of the event.“During probe, we found that most of the participants at the event were drinking and dancing, which may have led to severe dehydration,” said a police officer. Investigators are also probing other possibilities, including consumption of prohibited substances, and have made a few participants at the concert undergo blood tests.The organisers had all permissions for the event, said a police officer, adding: “But it is the organiser’s duty to take care of all the participants and facilities. Hence, they have been held responsible for death due to negligence.”The incident has once again raised concerns over safety arrangements at large events in Mumbai, including medical preparedness, crowd management and monitoring of substance abuse at concert venues. After the 9x9 techno concert at NESCO on April 11, where two MBA students died of a suspected MDMA overdose, and a third was hospitalised, Circoloco India at Jio World Garden, BKC, on April 19 was cancelled. The Calvin Harris show went ahead, but under heavy restrictions like no alcohol at the venue.