Mumbai: The Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Borivali on Sunday remanded Mark alias Mahesh Khemlani, the alleged main supplier in the NESCO drug overdose case, to judicial custody till May 22. The Vanrai police did not seek his custodial interrogation while producing him before the holiday court.

Khemlani’s advocate Pankaj Jadhav said no drugs were recovered from his client and police had not sought his custody.

The case came to light after two MBA students died following a techno music concert held at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon East on April 11. Police said a group of youngsters had allegedly consumed Ecstasy (MDMA) pills during the event. A 24-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man died due to suspected overdose, while another student survived after treatment.

Following the incident, the Vanrai police registered a case under the NDPS Act and began investigating the alleged drug supply network linked to the concert.

Police have so far arrested 12 accused, including alleged suppliers, students, a security guard, NESCO-linked staffers and an event organiser. One accused, event organiser Akash Samal, has been granted bail by the NDPS court. Investigators alleged that Khemlani sourced around 4,000 Ecstasy pills from a Europe-based contact. According to police, the consignment arrived in two batches — 3,000 pills followed by another 1,000 — and was later transported to Ulhasnagar through associates.

Police said the probe has also revealed an alleged cryptocurrency payment trail involving USDT/Tether wallets. Investigators are examining possible international drug trafficking links and related financial transactions.

The police recovered 933 Ecstasy pills worth around `15 lakh. The pills were allegedly discarded by accused Ayush Sahitya while travelling towards Goa after the overdose incident.

Police have also traced several bank transactions allegedly linked to the accused through accounts connected to co-accused Jiya Jacob, identified as Khemlani’s livein partner.

Khemlani was arrested at Mumbai airport after returning from Thailand. Police alleged he had left India after the incident, following which a look out circular was issued.

Mumbai: A controversy erupted in Mumbai’s Borivali East area after an allegedly drunk shopkeeper reportedly demolished a small 80-year-old Hanuman temple, triggering anger among residents and devotees.

The video of the incident was shared by media on its official handle on Instagram. The pan shop owner allegedly broke down the structure under the influence of alcohol, as the temple was located in front of his pan shop. The temple stood near a tree in Borivali East’s Carter Road No. 2 area. The irony is that the name of the pan shop is also ‘Jai Bajrang’ Pan Bhandar.

Visuals showed the damaged remains of the small temple scattered. The scene also captured crowd gathering around the area shocked by the incident. The incident has sparked strong reactions in the locality, as religious structures are closely tied to people’s faith and sentiments.

Though the report also stated that the police were informed about the incident, it remains unclear whether any formal action was taken.

The incident triggered debate on social media, with users expressing mixed reactions. Some questioned the temple’s age and legality, while others questioned, “Yeh 80 years ka mandir nahi lag raha hai. Cement gila hai, bricks bhi naye hain. Illegal construction.”

However, some users defended and said that it had existed in the area for decades. A user said, “I reside nearby and have been doing Darshan there since my childhood.” Another clarified, “I was using that way to go to school,” adding that the structure had been renovated over time by residents.

Several users condemned the act and demanded accountability. One comment read, “People should compensate the shopkeeper and continue to keep the temple,” while another slammed the shopowner and called him a “shameless guy.’

Mumbai: A fresh political controversy has erupted in Maharashtra after Waris Pathan launched a sharp counterattack on Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane over his controversial remarks comparing AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi to former Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Reacting strongly to the statement, Pathan demanded Rane’s immediate removal from the Maharashtra cabinet and accused him of spreading hate and communal tension. “Who are they to make such statements? We appeal to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to remove him immediately,” Pathan said while speaking to the media.

The AIMIM leader further questioned how a minister could make such remarks against a five-time Member of Parliament. “How can a person say this about a 5-term MP? Go ban your shakhas who are spreading hate, misinformation and triggering riots,” Pathan added.

The controversy began after Rane, while addressing reporters on Sunday, accused All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen of functioning like a ‘terrorist organisation.’ He alleged that the activities once carried out by Al-Qaeda were now being pursued politically through AIMIM under Owaisi’s leadership. “AIMIM is a terrorist organisation. The work Osama bin Laden used to do through Al-Qaeda is now being done by Asaduddin Owaisi through AIMIM,” Rane had said.

Rane also criticised AIMIM’s political role and questioned the party’s developmental contribution in areas represented by its leaders. He further claimed that the party’s agenda revolved around promoting “Jihad” and demanded that AIMIM be banned in the same way as the Popular Front of India (PFI).

The remarks came amid the ongoing investigation into the Nashik TCS religious coercion and sexual harassment case involving accused Nida Khan. The controversy intensified after allegations surfaced that AIMIM corporator Mateen Majid Patel had allegedly sheltered Khan while she was absconding.

The escalating verbal clash between BJP and AIMIM leaders has now intensified political tensions in Maharashtra, with opposition leaders demanding action against Rane over his remarks.