While Bibek died before he could receive medical attention, Rahul is battling for life at the Apollo Hospital. The second tragedy in the Mahajan home took place hours before Rahul and Bibek were to leave for Assam to immerse Pramod’s ashes.

Forensic tests of “white powdery substance” in a sachet recovered from Maitra’s pocket confirmed it was cocaine. There were also traces of another substance, possibly urea.

Late tonight, the three youths—identified as Karan, Trishay and Rahul— “surrendered” at the Mandir Marg police station. Senior police officials claimed Rahul and Bibek, Pramod’s trusted aide, were seen snorting cocaine swirls placed on Rs 500 currency notes. Police suspect that the cocaine-champagne combination triggered a reaction.

“Bibek gave us Rs 15,000 to get cocaine. We didn’t know Bibek or Rahul. One of our friends, Sahil, knew Bibek and asked two of us to come with him. He said we could meet Rahul Mahajan. Two of us went in Sahil’s car to 7, Safdarjung Road. Sahil went inside a room with Bibek. He came out saying Bibek had given him money and that they wanted cocaine,” one of the youths told The Indian Express over phone before he “surrendered” with the rest.

Their advocate, Ranvir Singh Kundu, later told The Indian Express that the boy on the phone was Karan. “All three boys are innocent. They are in the 20-22 age group, they live in Delhi. Karan and Tishay are neighbours in Greater Kailash. They were at their homes the entire day and watched TV. Later in the evening, they approached us after their parents asked them to go to the police. They never even applied for anticipatory bail,” Kundu said. There’s no trace yet of Sahil.

According to Kundu, Sahil was the one who picked up the cocaine from Vasant Vihar. “The cocaine was laid out on a table and Rahul Mahajan and Bibek began sniffing it with Rs 500 notes. They took a dozen sniffs together,” Kundu claimed.

When Bibek and Rahul began vomiting and losing consciousness, the boys fled after informing the domestic helps.

Meanwhile, The Indian Express has been told that there was a 20-minute gap between Rahul and Bibek’s arrival at Apollo. Rushed in separate cars, Rahul reached Apollo at 2.55 am and Bibek at 3.15 am. One reason why Rahul could get medical attention in time. Bibek was declared brought dead.

“They had two cars. Two of the domestic helps drove them separately. Rahul was taken to hospital first,” Additional DCP (New Delhi) Manish Agrawal told The Indian Express.

Rahul is now on life support and his condition remains critical. Bibek’s post-mortem report has pointed to “death due to suspected poisoning.” The Delhi Police have not yet registered an FIR.

“The scene of crime was disturbed by the domestic helps. The glasses had been washed, champagne bottles kept back in the freezer and the vomit on the floor washed. A CFSL team is investigating though there are limitations. There was no sign of a fight or struggle,” said Agrawal.