45 Booked After Viral Video Shows Celebration for Drug Accused's Release in Thane

Thane/Pune, July 21 – In a troubling incident that drew widespread criticism on social media, at least 45 individuals were booked by the Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar (MBVV) Police after a viral video showed a public celebration marking the release of an accused drug peddler in Thane district. The gathering, which took place near Nayanagar in Mira Road, allegedly involved loud music, firecrackers, and slogan-shouting, raising serious concerns over law and order.

According to police officials, the celebration occurred on the night of July 16, following the release of Kamran Mohammad Khan, who was arrested earlier under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Khan, recently granted bail, was reportedly welcomed by former jail associates and dozens of others in a convoy that travelled from Thane Central Jail to Mira Road.

An official from the MBVV Police confirmed that a case was registered under Section 189 (unlawful assembly) and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Maharashtra Police Act. “The group not only burst firecrackers and played loud music but also created an atmosphere of fear and disturbance in a public area,” the official said.

A video clip of the celebration, showing the crowd flouting prohibitory orders, went viral on various social media platforms. A police officer, acting as the complainant, registered the case after verifying the authenticity of the video footage. So far, nine individuals have been identified by name, while efforts are underway to trace the remaining accused.

In a related development, the anti-narcotics cell of Pune Police, in coordination with the Military Intelligence (MI) unit of the Army's Southern Command, arrested two individuals in Kondhwa, Pune, for alleged drug possession and trafficking.

The accused, identified as Abhinav Pradeep Gupta (22) and Irshad Iftikar Sheikh (27), were placed under surveillance following a tip-off from the MI unit. Upon interception on Friday evening, the authorities recovered:

• 10.21 gm of MD (mephedrone) worth ₹2.04 lakh

• 8.32 gm of OG marijuana worth ₹83,000

• Small quantities of ganja

In addition to the narcotics, police also seized an SUV and three mobile phones from the duo. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act at Kondhwa Police Station, and further investigation is underway.

Authorities across Maharashtra continue to crack down on drug-related activities, urging citizens to report suspicious behaviour and discouraging any form of public glorification of criminal acts.