3 weeks ago
Kullu Rave Parties: Two Senior Officials Transferred, Supreme Court Told
In a beautiful mountain area called Kullu, big parties were held in the forest that were supposed to be stopped.
These parties were very expensive, and some people say drugs were available there.
The police officers in charge of the area were supposed to stop these parties, but the court felt they did not do their job.
In fact, a judge said the officers seemed to have given up and let the parties happen.
A very important court called the High Court said those officers should be moved to other towns and that special detectives should investigate.
The officers did not agree and asked the Supreme Court, the country's biggest court, to help them.
The Supreme Court then learned that the officers had already been moved to other places.
Thousands of people had attended the forest parties, paying a lot of money for tickets.
The Supreme Court asked the High Court to finish dealing with the rest of the case.
The courts want to make sure that rules are followed and everyone stays safe.
The Himachal Pradesh government told the Supreme Court on Monday, August 10, that Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma and Superintendent of Police Madan Lal have been transferred over their alleged role in allowing rave parties in 2025.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court's June 24 order directed the transfer of three senior officers, registration of an FIR, and an SIT probe into an alleged nexus between district officials and rave party organizers.
The high court called it a 'classical case of abject surrender' by the Kullu DC and SP, having monitored rave parties and drug abuse in Kullu and Mandi since July 2025.
Thousands of revellers reportedly gathered at Green Forest-I and Green Forest-II near Kasol between June 7 and 11, paying Rs 10,000-16,000 each, while event entry fees ranged from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7 lakh.
The apex court disposed of the officers' pleas and asked the high court to consider pending modification applications from private parties.
- Who
- Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma and Superintendent of Police Madan Lal, transferred by the Himachal Pradesh government; a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana was informed by Advocate General Anup Rattan.
- What
- The transfer of two senior Kullu district officials over their alleged role in allowing rave parties, following a high court order that also demanded an FIR and SIT investigation into an alleged official-organizer nexus.
- Where
- Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, including Kasol, Jibhi and Manali; the Supreme Court hearing was held in New Delhi.
- When
- The Supreme Court was informed on Monday, August 10; the high court's June 24 order was partially stayed by the top court on July 27; the rave parties took place in 2025.
- Why
- The high court alleged a nexus between district officials and rave party organizers, with narcotic drugs allegedly available openly at events, and found a 'classical case of abject surrender' by officials despite court monitoring.
High Court's Findings
Officers' Challenge
Officials' role in rave parties
High Court's Findings
The high court found a 'classical case of abject surrender' by the Kullu DC and SP, alleged a nexus between district officials and rave party organizers, and ordered transfers, an FIR and an SIT probe.
Officers' Challenge
The two officers moved the Supreme Court against the order, which stayed the directions to register an FIR and set up an SIT on July 27; private parties also moved applications seeking modification of the June 24 order.
Key facts
- Officials transferred
- Kullu DC Anurag Chander Sharma, SP Madan Lal and the sub-divisional magistrate
- Supreme Court bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
- High Court order
- June 24 - transfer of three senior officers, FIR registration, SIT headed by an officer not below DIG rank
- Partial stay
- July 27 - Supreme Court stayed directions to register an FIR and set up an SIT against the two officers
- Rave party venues
- Green Forest-I and Green Forest-II, about 6 km from Kasol in a secluded forest area
- Attendance fees
- Rs 10,000-16,000 per participant; entry fees elsewhere ranged from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7 lakh
- DLSA report
- Events scheduled until 11 pm, exceeding the permitted 10 pm; liquor bottles, cigarette butts and rolling papers recovered; CCTV DVR seized
- Police action
- Parties stopped and sound permissions cancelled after vacation bench directions on June 9; two FIRs registered








