Kullu rave parties: HC says FIR it ordered to probe official ‘collusion’ apparently not registered

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has noted that an FIR it had ordered to be registered following allegations of collusion between authorities and rave party organizers in Kullu has allegedly not been officially registered. During a hearing on August 6, the court observed this oversight while discussing a public interest litigation filed by the Himalayan Environment Protection Society, Kullu.

The petition claimed rave parties were held in Kasol, Jibhi, Manali and other locations, charging exorbitant entry fees and drug use. The court had directed registration of the FIR to investigate these claims. However, the State argued that two prior FIRs, Nos. 49 and 50 of 2026, already existed, along with a third, No. 61 of 2026, registered on July 7, despite not being before the court.

The issue was raised again during Thursday’s hearing when the Advocate General stated that Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma, Superintendent of Police Madan Lal, and Kullu SDM Nishant Sharma had been transferred. The transfers complied with the High Court’s directions. The Supreme Court stayed the High Court’s orders on July 27, transferring the officials, but directed the state to do so immediately for a fair inquiry.

The matter is now scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court on August 10, with compliance fixed for August 20. The High Court had earlier requested details on registered FIRs in Kullu and Mandi districts related to rave parties, arrests and ages of those detained, as well as identification of organizers and investigation of income distribution.