Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has kept the spotlight firmly on the alleged nexus between rave parties, drug abuse and commercial tourism in Kullu, Manali, Kasol and Jibhi, seeking a detailed account of the action taken against organisers and those allegedly involved in the illegal activities.
The court was hearing a petition filed by the Himalayan Environment Protection Society, Kullu, concerning rave parties allegedly being organised in the name of tourism in the Kullu-Manali belt and other popular tourist destinations.
During the hearing, the State Government and the then Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Kullu informed the court that they had challenged the High Court's earlier directions before the Supreme Court through Special Leave Petitions.
The Supreme Court, in its orders dated July 27 and August 4, 2026, stayed the directions relating to registration of FIRs against the officials and constitution of an SIT. However, the apex court retained the direction for their immediate transfer, apparently to ensure an impartial investigation.
The High Court was told that Kullu Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police were transferred on August 5. The transfer order concerning the SDM is also expected to follow after no relief was granted by the Supreme Court on August 4.
Court wants answers on ₹5,000–₹7 lakh entry tickets
The High Court has sought specific information on the scale of rave-party operations in Kullu and Mandi districts, including the number of FIRs registered and people arrested.
It has also sought details of the financial trail generated by these events, particularly allegations that entry tickets were being sold for amounts ranging from ₹5,000 to as high as ₹7 lakh.
The court wants to know whether the authorities have investigated the income generated through such events, how the money was distributed and whether any action has been taken to attach or seize properties belonging to alleged illegal rave-party organisers.
The questions go beyond drug enforcement and directly examine whether rave parties have evolved into a lucrative underground commercial network operating under the cover of tourism.
Was there official silence or complicity?
The High Court's June 24 order had directed registration of an FIR to examine whether there was administrative connivance or tacit approval in the alleged large-scale consumption of narcotics at commercial events organised by rave-party operators.
The investigation is also expected to establish whether officials responsible for maintaining law and order and regulating such events deliberately failed to act despite the alleged activities taking place in prominent tourist destinations.
The State's Advocate General informed the court about the steps taken in the matter and the proceedings before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the matter again on August 10. In view of the pending proceedings before the apex court, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has fixed August 20 for further consideration and compliance.
The proceedings have put the Kullu-Manali tourism belt under renewed judicial scrutiny, particularly over the growing allegations that high-end rave parties, drugs and commercial tourism are operating in an ecosystem where enforcement has failed to keep pace with the scale of the activity.
The court's demand for details of FIRs, arrests, ticket revenues, money distribution and property seizures could potentially take the investigation beyond individual drug cases and towards uncovering the financial architecture behind rave-party tourism in the Himalayan valley.
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