Taking serious note of a newspaper report regarding alleged large-scale ‘Rave Parties’ in Kasol, Kullu district, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered a spot inspection by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kullu, at the suspected site.
A bench of Justice Romesh Verma instructed the DLSA Secretary to conduct the inspection with the assistance of local administration and police authorities, and to submit a report within 10 days.
Background of the Case
The single judge bench passed this order in a pending Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation, initially registered in 2025, based on a letter from the Himalayan Environment Protection Society, Kullu. The society had brought to the Court’s notice that so-called “Rave Parties” are being organised in Kasol, Jibhi, Manali, and other parts of Kullu in the name of tourism.
The letter further claimed that drugs were openly available at such events, and that entry tickets were being sold at exorbitant prices. The society expressed concern about the impact of such events on the local environment and the safety of young people attending them.
Court’s Direction
The Himachal Pradesh High Court, acting on a recent media report about the alleged rave party in Kasol, decided to take immediate stock of the situation. The Court ordered the DLSA Secretary to visit the site personally, observe the ground reality, and submit a detailed fact-finding report within ten days.
The bench emphasised the importance of ensuring that tourist areas in Himachal Pradesh do not become hubs for illegal activities, and that the local administration must take proactive steps to prevent misuse of scenic locations.
Context: Kasol and Drug Tourism
Kasol, located in the Parvati Valley of Kullu district, has long been known as a hub for foreign tourists and backpackers. Over the years, however, concerns have grown about drug abuse and illegal activities in the area. Local authorities have periodically conducted anti-drug drives in the region, but activists say the problem persists.
PIL Proceedings
The Suo Motu PIL has been pending before the Himachal Pradesh High Court since 2025. The Court has been monitoring the situation through periodic updates from the administration. The latest order for a spot inspection signals the Court’s intent to take a hands-on approach to the problem.
Court: Himachal Pradesh High Court | Bench: Justice Romesh Verma | Source: LiveLaw | June 2026
