Involving foreign nationals, HC monitoring legality of Rave party in HP dense forests
Shimla, June 25
Himachal Pradesh High Court is closely monitoring alleged rave parties being organised in the forest areas of Kasol and Parvati Valley in Kullu district, with nearly half a dozen related matters currently pending before it.
The latest proceedings were conducted before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi on Wednesday which took on record the comprehensive inspection report submitted by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kullu, along with affidavits filed by the Kullu Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police.
According to media reports HC directed the state to shuffle the Police chief of district and concerned SDM for reportedly allowing such parties.
Copies of the report were furnished to all parties, and the matter has been listed for further hearing on August 6.
The proceedings arise from a suo motu public interest litigation (CWPIL No. 53 of 2025), initiated on the basis of a representation submitted by the Himalayan Environment Protection Society, Kullu, alleging that rave parties were being organised in Kasol, Jibhi, Manali, and other parts of Kullu under the guise of tourism.
On June 9, Vacation Judge Justice Romesh Verma took cognisance of recent media reports concerning a four-day rave party proposed in Kasol from June 7 to 11. According to the reports, tickets priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 16,000 were being sold, the event was being extensively promoted on social media, approximately 10,000 attendees were expected, and the organisers were allegedly linked to Israel. Justice Verma directed the Secretary, DLSA Kullu, to conduct an immediate spot inspection with the assistance of the district administration and police, and to submit a report within ten days. He further directed the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Kullu, to file personal affidavits addressing the issues raised in the media reports.
The matter subsequently came up before the Division Bench on June 18, when the inspection report and affidavits were placed on record. On June 24, the Bench considered the report submitted by the DLSA Secretary following the field inspection and took note of the factual findings as well as the local media reports that had prompted the latest proceedings.
The High Court has consistently observed that commercial rave parties in forest and ecologically sensitive areas cannot be permitted if they contravene environmental laws, disrupt public order, or pose a threat to the fragile ecosystem. The Court also examined the role of the Kullu district administration and police, noting that they are responsible for ensuring that no such events are held without proper permissions and compliance with legal and environmental norms. It was indicated during the proceedings that, in view of preliminary legal requirements and environmental concerns, permission for such rave parties in forest areas could not be granted.
Court cracks down on Rave parties in Himachal, seeks detailed State report
The issue is also connected with several related public interest matters concerning environmental protection, tourism regulation, and law and order in the Kullu-Manali region, which are being heard collectively by the High Court.
Story would be updated after having court order in the matter separately.
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