Coming down heavily on the district administration, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the transfer of the Kullu Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and Sub-Divisional Magistrate for allegedly failing to maintain public order and instead allowed large-scale rave parties to take place in the Parvati Valley.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi ordered the state government to transfer the three officers within a week. The court also ordered that departmental proceedings be initiated against them.
The order was passed on June 24, while the detailed judgment was made public on Saturday.
The High Court also directed the registration of an FIR and asked the state to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by an officer of at least the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG). The SIT has been asked to investigate the matter and examine the role of the three officers.
The directions came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on rave parties and drug abuse in Kullu and Mandi districts. The court observed that the officials ignored their responsibility to maintain public order despite advance warnings about possible drug use, trafficking and other illegal activities.
The case relates to a music event held at Green Forest-I and Green Forest-II in Grahan village near Kasol from June 7 to 11. Tickets were sold for the event. The court said the investigation should also determine whether the organisers received unofficial support or whether there was any collusion by officials in allowing large-scale drug use and the commercial event.
As per a report submitted by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), the venue was located in a remote forest area. Around 50 camping tents had been set up, private security personnel were deployed, and the arrangements were capable of accommodating thousands of visitors.
The court noted that a report submitted by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) on June 5 had warned that narcotics consumption and trafficking could not be ruled out. The officer had advised the authorities to consider these concerns before granting permission. Despite the warning, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) issued permission for the event on June 6.
The court said police reached the venue and stopped the event only after the High Court's vacation bench intervened on June 9. Two FIRs were registered, and officials recovered large quantities of empty liquor bottles, cigarette butts, rolling papers allegedly used for cannabis consumption and other material suggesting drug abuse.
The bench observed that the event would have continued until June 11 had the High Court not stepped in. It also noted that the digital video recorder (DVR) of the CCTV cameras installed at the venue had been seized as part of the investigation.
The court further observed that permission was granted despite the DSP's adverse report recommending that it should not be allowed because of fears of rave parties, illegal activities and large-scale drug consumption.
"It appears that the officers failed in their duties to maintain public order and instead facilitated the organisation of large-scale rave parties," the court said in its order.
The DLSA report also stated that two tourists were arrested with cocaine and LSD during the event. It further said Russian national Caria Kuzminykh, who was performing as a DJ, died due to a suspected drug overdose. A post-mortem examination was recommended in the case.
Also read: Ex-BJP Min hints at 'third front' in Himachal by next Mar-April
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