HimbuMail Reports Trigger HC Action: Kullu SDM, SP Shifted Over Rave Party Inaction.
SHIMLA: A series of investigative reports published by HimbuMail.com on the controversial rave party held in the forests Grahan near Kasol in Kullu district has led to strong intervention by the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which has ordered the transfer of the Kullu SDM and SP for their alleged failure to act against the event.
Taking suo motu cognizance of reports carried by the news portal over the past few weeks, a Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court comprising Chief Justice MS Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi closely examined the circumstances under which the rave party was allowed to take place inside a forest area despite widespread concerns over environmental violations, noise pollution and law-and-order issues.
The court had earlier directed the Member Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kullu, to submit a factual report after taking note of the reports published by The HimbuMail viral on social media platforms. The reports along with subsequent proceedings, brought the spotlight on the alleged inaction of district authorities.
Observing that such high-decibel events should not be permitted in ecologically sensitive forest areas, the High Court expressed concern that thousands of people were allowed to congregate at the venue without effective intervention by the administration.
The court noted that the authorities had virtually given a free run to the organisers despite reports highlighting possible violations.
The reports had alleged that the event, organised between June 7 and 11 and continuing thereafter, attracted nearly 10000 participants.
Organisers, including foreign national from Israel, were reportedly charging up to ₹16,000 per person for entry. The event allegedly featured loud music, late-night gatherings and activities within a forest zone.
The Bench held that the district administration failed to discharge its responsibilities and ordered the immediate transfer of both the SDM and SP Kullu.
The court has also sought individual affidavits from the officers explaining the circumstances under which the event was allowed to take place and why timely action was not taken.
The High Court observed that allowing such large-scale commercial gatherings inside forest areas sends a wrong message and raises serious concerns regarding environmental protection and administrative accountability.
The matter will now come up for further hearing on August 6, when the court is expected to examine compliance reports and responses filed by the officials concerned.
Notably, it was after HimbuMail highlighted the alleged rave party at Grahan through a series of reports that the police swung into action and conducted a raid at the venue.
During the operation, contraband substances were recovered from some participants and two persons were booked under relevant provisions of the law.
The recovery reinforced concerns raised by the news portal about the nature of the gathering and the apparent lack of timely intervention by the local administration despite the large-scale event being held in a forest area.
The Himbumail reports brought the issue into public focus and ultimately prompted judicial scrutiny of the controversial rave party and the role of district authorities.
