Vasily Markelov, the Russian DJ arrested during a police raid at a night party in Kochi, was released on bail by the first class judicial magistrate court in Kochi.
While the court had already granted bail to six other accused late on Sunday, Markelov was denied bail on account of his failure to execute solvent surety. He was released on Tuesday evening after his friends executed two solvent sureties and a bond of Rs.1 lakh. Despite being released, Markelov, however, will be unable to leave the country as the police have seized his passport.
The police had seized a suspected narcotic substance from Markelov’s possession which tested positive for the presence of marijuana during a preliminary investigation by an Excise Inspector. As he had failed to inform his arrival in India after the mandatory period of 14 days, the police also booked him under provisions of the Foreigners Act.
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Meanwhile, the police have sent the packet of powder labelled ‘Adventure On’ seized from Markelov for an examination at regional forensic science laboratory, Kakkanad. The test result is expected after a week.
Markelov reportedly told police that the powder they had seized from his possession was available in the open market elsewhere outside India.