3 weeks ago
Kasol rave: three FIRs, court probe, missing Israeli national
In a small hill town in India called Kasol, some grown-ups held a big outdoor music party that lasted five days.
When police found out about it, they said a few people at the party had drugs and that drinks were being served without a licence.
The police filed three separate cases about what happened.
In one case, they found a small packet of a drug called cocaine in someone's bag.
In another case, they found very small amounts of other drugs, including Ecstasy and LSD.
Police also think a person from Israel may have helped organise the party, but he has gone back to his country and cannot be found.
The court asked whether any officials quietly allowed the party to happen, and two senior officials were moved to different jobs because of the investigation.
A bigger court, called the Supreme Court, has paused one order about the officials for now.
The police investigation is still going on to find out the whole story.
Kullu district police registered three FIRs over a five-day rave party in Kasol, covering narcotics possession, prohibited substances and unlicensed liquor service.
FIR No. 49 alleges recovery of 0.96 gram of cocaine from Rahul Sai, 33, of Ernakulam, Kerala, under the NDPS Act.
FIR No. 50 alleges recovery of 1.31 grams of cocaine, 2.7 grams of charas, two Ecstasy tablets and five portions of LSD paper from Chirag Bhatia, with Yash Pal and Ishwar Singh later named as accused.
Police say an Israeli national who allegedly formed a verbal partnership to organise the party from June 7 to 11 has left India and cannot be traced.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court ordered a thorough probe into possible official collusion; Kullu's Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma and SP Madan Lal were transferred, while the Supreme Court has stayed a High Court direction to file an FIR against Kullu officials.
- Who
- Kullu district police and the courts, including the Himachal Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court; accused persons Rahul Sai, Chirag Bhatia, Yash Pal and Ishwar Singh; and an unidentified Israeli national suspected of helping organise the party.
- What
- Three FIRs were registered over an alleged five-day rave party involving narcotics possession, prohibited substances and unlicensed liquor service, along with a court-directed probe into possible official collusion.
- Where
- Grahan Nullah near Munch Production, Kasol, Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India.
- When
- The rave party was held June 7-11; FIRs were registered on June 10 and July 7; a bail hearing was held on July 13.
- Why
- Police allege the party involved drugs and unlicensed liquor, and courts questioned whether authorities knowingly allowed the event to take place.
Police and Judicial Scrutiny
Accused and Officials' Account
Organisation of the rave party
Police and Judicial Scrutiny
Police say Yash Pal and Ishwar Singh told investigators that an Israeli national entered into a verbal partnership with them to organise the party from June 7 to 11.
Accused and Officials' Account
Ishwar Singh's counsel says the land belonged to him and was allegedly given to the Israeli national with the permission of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kullu, though no documents were provided to the investigating agency.
Official collusion
Police and Judicial Scrutiny
The Himachal Pradesh High Court directed a thorough probe into possible official 'collusion or tacit permission' and ordered the transfer of the Kullu Deputy Commissioner and SP.
Accused and Officials' Account
The Supreme Court has stayed the High Court's direction to file an FIR against Kullu officials, and the accused's account suggests the land lease was claimed to have official sanction at the SDM level.
Key facts
- Rave party dates
- June 7 to June 11
- Location
- Grahan Nullah near Munch Production, Kasol, Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh
- FIRs registered
- 3 (Nos. 49 and 50 on June 10; No. 61 on July 7)
- FIR 49 recovery
- 0.96 gram cocaine; accused Rahul Sai, 33, of Ernakulam, Kerala
- FIR 50 recovery
- 1.31 g cocaine, 2.7 g charas, 2 Ecstasy tablets, 5 LSD portions; accused Chirag Bhatia, 32, of Mohali
- FIR 61 offence
- Unlicensed liquor service under Section 39(2)(i) of the Himachal Pradesh Excise Act, 2011
- Missing person
- Israeli national allegedly involved in organising the party; police say he left India
- Officials transferred
- Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma and SP Madan Lal








