PANJIM: While all eyes are on the viscera report of three tourists, who died at Sunburn Klassique venue in December 2019 shifting focus on purported drugs at Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals, here’s a shocking revelation about previous two cases of suspected drug overdose.
The deaths of Meha Bahuguna and Isha Mantri, at EDM venues in 2009 and 2014 respectively are not related to drug overdose. This is what the police report states. Herald has confirmed information that the Central Forensic Science Laboratory’s (CSFL) report has ascertained the young women, whose death racked up controversy over availability of drugs at dance-music galas, did not die of any form of narcotics. As such, Goa Police has closed the “inquiries” as unnatural deaths (UD).
“The CFSL report confirms nothing incriminating was found in the viscera samples of both the victim women. The investigation teams, in the respective two cases, therefore concluded the case as ‘unnatural deaths’ and submitted the ‘UD Summary Reports’ to Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM). In the case of Bahuguna, the report is accepted,” a senior officer told Herald.
The 23-year-old from software city of Bangalore, Bahuguna had died during Sunburn EDM and five years later, Mumbai-based fashion designer Mantri succumbed at Supersonic EDM in 2014. Inquiries were held and viscera samples were sent for chemical examination to detect poison. In the wake of the CFSL report, both case files have now been shut.
Contrary to the scientifically tested reports, the rumours were rife that both professionals died due to suspected drug overdose. In the case of Bahuguna, her friends, who were also partying with her, had allegedly told the police that she had allegedly last consumed ‘angel dust’ (hallucinating drugs) after which she felt uneasy. A confidential report to the then Deputy Inspector General of Police had reportedly stated about the alleged drugs availability at the venue. Sources said that drugs were allegedly sold through stalls selling garments at the venue but the police personnel posted on duty, claimed they were clueless about any drugs sale. The drugs availability was however denied by the local event partner. Mantri’s death too raised similar concerns even as the authorities denied the drug theory. The police report in her case is waiting nod from the SDM, a highly placed police officer said.
The same issue now envelopes the deaths of three Andhra Pradesh youth, who died at Sunburn Klassique last year. Sai Prasad (32) and Venkat SGVSN (30) died at the ticketing counter on the maiden day of the EDM on December 27, 2019. The police initially dismissed the case as heart attack pending cause of death, which till date is “reserved.” Thereafter, Phanideep Kotha (24) an automobile engineer lost his life taking the toll of deaths at EDM in 2019 to three. Doctors stated they suffered ‘cerebral and pulmonary edema.’
Amidst controversy over the alleged return of drugs at EDM, the CFSL, Hyderabad has been sent reminders to expedite chemical examination of the three victims. In these cases too, the police have been denying drug overdose. “We are inquiring the cases as unnatural deaths, unless viscera samples report arrive,” the officer said.