Mumbai cop’s son’s death: 8 youngsters test positive for cannabis

In the investigation into the possible murder of Atharva Shinde, eight people who had attended the same party as the victim, tested positive for cannabis but negative for alcohol and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Shinde, 20, attended his friend’s 18th birthday party along with his girlfriend on May 8. The party was held at a bungalow in Goregaon (East) and attended by approximately 20 people.

On the morning of May 9, Shinde’s body was found near the bungalow. Shinde was the son of a police officer with the Economic Offences Wing. His body showed injury marks on the chest, head and eyes.

Those present at the party had told the police and the media that alcohol and LSD had been consumed that night.

On May 10, the police took samples of eight people who were at the party and sent them for analysis to the Forensic Science Laboratory. They tested positive for cannabis, but did not show any traces of alcohol or any other drug. Forensic officials said this might be because the samples were taken late. “For some drugs, the evaporation rate is fast and so it is difficult to trace it,” said an official, requesting anonymity. “This rate differs from person to person depending upon body type and the kind of food consumed after taking drugs or alcohol.” Police have questioned those who attended the party, but so far no arrests have been made.

The eight youngsters who tested positive for cannabis include two girls – Atharva’s girlfriend and the daughter of a Marathi film producer who had organised the party to celebrate her 18th birthday. A 15-year-old boy was also among those who tested positive for cannabis.

On May 8, Atharva’s girlfriend had been admitted to a multi-specialty hospital and her urine samples tested positive for drugs apart from cannabis.

One of the youngsters who attended the party had told the media he had consumed LSD and alcohol. However, his blood samples too tested negative for LSD as well as alcohol, but positive for cannabis.