3 min readAug 9, 2026 10:13 PM IST
First published on: Aug 9, 2026 at 10:13 PM IST
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has observed that an FIR it had directed to be registered to ascertain whether there was any “collusion or tacit permission” by authorities in connection with rave parties in Kullu had apparently not been placed on record.
A division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi made the observation in its order pertaining to the matter of rave parties. The hearing was held on August 6 and a detailed order was released on Saturday.
“We directed the registration of an FIR to ascertain whether there was any collusion or tacit permission by authorities in connection with the events,” the court said, while noting that had apparently not been placed on record.
Advocate General Anup Rattan, appearing for the State, submitted that there had been a “misconception”, as two FIRs — Nos. 49 and 50 of 2026 — had already been referred to in earlier orders. He also pointed to FIR No. 61 of 2026, registered on July 7, but said it had not been placed before the court.
The issue had also figured during Thursday’s hearing, when AG Rattan informed the bench that Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma and Superintendent of Police Madan Lal had been transferred and show-cause notices issued to them. A similar notice was issued to Kullu SDM Nishant Sharma.
The Division bench had orally observed during the hearing that it had directed registration of an FIR to probe how the drug trade was flourishing in Kullu and how drugs were reaching Kasol.
The proceedings stem from a public interest litigation filed by the Himalayan Environment Protection Society, Kullu, alleging that rave parties were being organised at Kasol, Jibhi, Manali and other parts of the district in the name of tourism. The petition alleged that entry fees for such events ranged from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7 lakh and that drugs were openly available.
The state also informed the High Court that the transfers of Sharma and Madan Lal on August 5 were carried out in compliance with its directions. SDM Nishant Sharma had also approached the Supreme Court.
According to the state, the affected officials had filed Special Leave Petitions before the Supreme Court. On July 27, the apex court stayed the High Court’s directions concerning registration of FIRs against the petitioners and constitution of a Special Investigation Team, while directing the state to transfer the officials immediately to ensure a fair inquiry. The matter is listed before the Supreme Court on August 10.
The High Court has fixed the matter for August 20 for compliance.
Earlier, the High Court had sought from the state details of FIRs registered in Kullu and Mandi districts in connection with rave parties, arrests made and the age groups of those arrested. It had also sought details on whether the organisers had been identified and whether their income and its distribution among the organisers had been investigated.
The proceedings stem from a public interest litigation filed by the Himalayan Environment Protection Society, Kullu, alleging that rave parties were being organised at Kasol, Jibhi, Manali and other parts of the district in the name of tourism. 
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