Pianist’s suicide in Mumbai: Drug peddler who frequented Bandra building arrested
Morris Atiti was arrested after the watchman of the building told the police that he frequently visited the building.
The Bandra police investigating the alleged suicide of 29-year-old pianist Karan Joseph arrested an African national, who allegedly peddled drugs outside Concerde building. It is the same building from where Joseph had jumped off to death.
Morris Atiti was arrested after the watchman of the building told the police that he frequently visited the building. The Bandra police have registered a case of abetment after Joseph’s father and friends had alleged that he was threatened and beaten by an unidentified person.
The Family and friends said this may have led to Joseph’s suicide.
An officer from Bandra police station said, “The watchman of the building informed us that Atiti, a drug dealer would come to Concerde building. We laid a trap and nabbed him from the same area on Monday.”
Atiti claimed that he had lost his passport and just arrived from Goa, said the police. He told police that he is from the southern part of Africa, but had forgotten the name of the country he belonged to.
“He is not disclosing his current address, but we believe he may be staying in Mira Road and would come to the city just to sell drugs,” said an officer.
He was arrested under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). The police have recorded the statements of more than 10 people.
The police said that Joseph met his two friends on Friday night. Later between 3am and 7am, he had left the house and returned depressed. He jumped off the 12th floor of the building in the presence of his two friends and two servants.
“Till now we have learnt that he had two sets of friends, of which one group would tell him ill-effects of staying with Shah, while Shah would say bad things about the first group. We still have not reached any conclusions and are investigating thoroughly,” said an officer.
