PANAJI
Amidst speculations surrounding the death of Ashutosh Jadhwat, owner of an event management company in Ajmer-Rajasthan, due to a suspected drug overdose; his friends have deposed to the Anjuna police refuting any drug consumption but admitting to alcohol intake at the evening party.
The investigation team will send the deceased’s viscera samples to the Verna Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis, report of which will ascertain whether Jadhwat was intoxicated with drugs, or excessive alcohol, or if there was another cause of death.
Jadhwat collapsed while dancing at a Vagator nightclub with three of his friends, about an hour after he stepped in around 6 pm.
Highly placed police sources told The Goan that the police are investigating whether he or his friends had access to drugs within the club or purchased them from outside, if any. Moreover, although the family does not suspect foul play or any pre-existing medical conditions, the source stated that the investigation will be thorough, and suspects, if any, will be rounded up.
“We will explore all angles, including the possibility of these tourists having access to drugs within or outside the nightclub. CCTVs of the venue and the surroundings will be examined… We will also request the Verna FSL to submit the report at the earliest,” the source revealed. "Jadhwat’s friends are denying purchasing or consuming drugs, but all these claims are subject to our investigation."
Hailing from well-to-do families, the businessman and his friends had rented a villa in Vagator for four days, starting from January 21, Saturday to January 23, Tuesday. The incident occurred on the same day they checked in and coincidentally being his birthday.
On receiving the information last Saturday, the police stopped the party while the victim was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead. The Anjuna police said that the victim’s body has been handed over to the family after an autopsy at Goa Medical College, for his final rites.
