Art director’s son arrested in hit-and-run-case in Hyderabad

New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s direction ordering registration of FIRs and constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) against three senior district officials over the alleged facilitation of rave parties in the hill state’s Kasol, while allowing its direction for their immediate transfer to remain in force.

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued notice on special leave petitions (SLPs) filed by the affected officers and made the matter returnable on August 10.

The top court said: “Meanwhile, the impugned order, to the extent it directs registration of FIR(s) against the petitioners and constitution of a Special Investigating Team for investigation, is stayed.”

However, it clarified that “with a view to ensure a fair inquiry into the matter, the state government shall comply with the directions to transfer the petitioners immediately, without any delay”.

The SLPs arose from a June 24 order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which had directed the state to transfer Kullu Deputy Commissioner Anurag Chander Sharma, Superintendent of Police Kullu Madan Lal and the SDM concerned, besides ordering registration of FIRs, constitution of an SIT headed by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police and initiation of departmental proceedings.

It had passed the directions while hearing a batch of matters relating to drug abuse and illegal rave parties, including a suo motu public interest litigation concerning alleged rave parties in Kasol, Jibhi, Manali and other parts of Kullu.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had observed that the case reflected “a classical case of abject surrender” by the district administration and police despite the court having been monitoring the issue of rave parties since July 2025.

Referring to an inspection conducted by the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority following reports of large-scale parties at Green Forest-I and Green Forest-II near Kasol in June this year, the High Court said that the venue had facilities for thousands of participants, liquor was allegedly being served without authorisation and narcotic substances were suspected to have been consumed.

A Bench of Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi recorded that despite an adverse police report warning that “the possibility of consumption or trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances… cannot be ruled out entirely”, sound permissions for the event were granted.

It further observed that “had there not been an intervention by the Vacation Bench on 9th June, 2026, the party would have merrily continued from 7th to 11th June, 2026, on the strength of the tacit permission of the SDM, Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police”.

Holding that the officials had failed in maintaining public order and had “rather facilitated the organisation of large-scale rave parties”, the CJ Sandhawalia-led Bench said it was “difficult for us to accept that this was done without the connivance of the local administration”.

The High Court had consequently directed the state government to transfer the three officers within a week, lodge necessary FIRs, constitute an SIT and initiate departmental proceedings, observing that such directions were necessary “to restore administrative confidence”.

The proceedings stem from a suo motu PIL initiated by the Himachal Pradesh High Court in July 2025 after the Himalayan Environment Protection Society alleged that rave parties were being organised in Kullu district under the cover of tourism, with entry fees ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7 lakh and drugs being openly available at such events. The High Court had then sought details from the state on FIRs registered in connection with rave parties, identification of organisers, the financial proceeds from such events and action taken to attach their properties

–IANS

pds/vd

Haveri (Karnataka), Feb 14 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said that the Revenue Department is distributing title deeds to one lakh beneficiaries for the second time and has so far provided title deeds to 2.20 lakh families, calling it a record achievement.

He also claimed that Karnataka’s top GDP ranking in the country is the result of the pro-people policies implemented by his government.

He was speaking after inaugurating the government’s 1,000-day celebration programme and presiding over the distribution of title deeds to one lakh beneficiaries at an event organised jointly by the district administration and the Revenue Department.

The Chief Minister praised Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, stating that the department has witnessed significant progress since he assumed charge.

“Our pro-people government has made the state’s GDP number one in the country. The state is also progressing at a record pace in GST tax collection,” Siddaramaiah said while presenting supporting data.

He alleged that these achievements were made despite what he described as injustice by the Central government. Expressing concern, he said that former Chief Minister and current MP Basavaraj Bommai, along with Prahlad Joshi and Jagadish Shettar, have remained silent at the Centre on issues affecting the state.

“Our government has completed two years and nine months. Out of the promises we made, we have fulfilled 243 assurances. The remaining promises will be fulfilled during the rest of our term. Even during 2013–18, we fulfilled all our promises and delivered 30 additional assurances not mentioned in the manifesto, proving that we act on our commitments,” he said.

He accused the BJP of spreading false propaganda that the state treasury is empty, despite, according to him, failing to fulfil its own promises while in power.

“So far, we have directly transferred Rs 1.18 lakh crore to the people of the state through our guarantee schemes,” he said.

Referring to assessments by economists such as Amartya Sen and Abhijit Banerjee, as well as studies conducted by newspapers and universities, the Chief Minister said attempts to mislead people about the government’s performance were unjustified.

He reiterated his allegation that the Central government has been unfair to the state by withholding funds.

“Our successful 1,000 days in office are testimony to our commitment to pro-people governance,” Siddaramaiah said.

“Our government has successfully completed 1,000 days, and the Congress government has consistently worked to fulfil its promises,” he added.

He said the government is committed to inclusive development for people of all castes, religions, and linguistic groups, and is working to reduce inequality.

He accused the BJP of failing to deliver during its tenure and attempting to mislead the public with political statements.

Reaffirming his commitment, Siddaramaiah said, “This 1,000-day achievement convention reflects our dedication. We stand with the poor, Dalits, backward classes, minorities, women, and workers.”

He further alleged that the state has suffered losses of Rs 12,000–Rs 15,000 crore due to GST-related issues and claimed that Rs 15,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has not yet been released by the Centre.

“If these funds are provided, many development works can be undertaken across the state,” he said.

He assured that the government would review the state’s financial position and address development demands raised at the district level.

At the “Successful 1,000 Days in Public Service and Land Guarantee Dedication Convention”, officials who demonstrated outstanding performance were honoured.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar; Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda, Shivanand Patil, H.K. Patil, Satish Jarkiholi, G. Parameshwara, and K.H. Muniyappa; Guarantee Implementation Committee Chairman H.M. Revanna; Chief Whip of the ruling party in the Legislative Council Saleem Ahmed; along with more than 20 MLAs and party leaders, were present at the event.

–IANS

mka/pgh