The Station House Officer (SHO) of Manikaran police station in Kullu district has been reassigned to police lines, following an alleged massive rave party in the Parbati Valley that prompted the Himachal Pradesh High Court to order the transfer of the district's top administrative and police officials.
Officers Attached to Police Lines
Confirming the administrative action, Kullu Superintendent of Police Madan Lal Kaushal stated: “The SHO of Manikaran along with another officer has been attached to police lines. Their presence was also required there.” The move comes as part of a broader crackdown after the gathering, which has raised serious concerns about illegal activities in the scenic region.
SHO Panchhi Lal from the Anni police station has been given additional charge of the Manikaran police post. While the exact reasons for the removal remain unclear, sources indicate that the SHO was issued a show-cause notice by the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for failing to report malfunctioning CCTV cameras in the area.
High Court Intervention and Transfers
The rave party has drawn the attention of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which took a strict stance on the matter. The court ordered the transfer of the Kullu Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, and Subdivisional Magistrate, observing that they failed to maintain public order and instead facilitated the organisation of large-scale raves in the valley. Following the court's intervention, both the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Kullu have filed their affidavits.
Senior district officials have been shuttling between Kullu and Shimla over the past week, reportedly preparing to file a review petition before the high court on behalf of the state government.
Alleged Scale of the Gathering
The DSP had previously alerted officials about the possibility of thousands gathering in the forests of Parbati Valley, expressing concerns that between 3,000 and 3,500 people could assemble in the remote area. Authorities had specifically warned about the high probability of drug trafficking and substance abuse at such events. The aftermath of the alleged massive rave party has sent shockwaves through the state, prompting swift administrative and judicial action.
