Kangra police crackdown on rave party, recover drugs, illicit liquor from cafe near McLeodganj

In a significant breakthrough in Himachal Pradesh Police’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, the Kangra police busted an alleged rave party at a café in Upper Bhagsu during the early hours of August 23.

The action was carried out by a police team from the McLeodganj police station during night patrolling.

Acting on a tip-off, DIG Northern Range Soumya Sambasivam personally led the team to the spot, where an ongoing rave party was found in progress.

During the operation, police recovered 5.35 grams of ganja/bhang leaves, 25.94 grams of charas and 1.25 grams of chitta/heroin, along with packing material and 19 beer cans, from the premises of the café.

A case has been registered at Police Station McLeodganj under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act and the Himachal Pradesh Excise Act.

Two persons, namely Rakesh Kumar (39), owner of Jungle Calling Café, and Vijit Bhattacharya (39), a resident of West Bengal, have been arrested in connection with the case.

The preliminary investigation by the police has revealed that the café owner was allegedly hosting rave parties on August 22 and 23 at the café premises.

It has also emerged during investigation that the rave parties were being advertised and promoted through social media and closed online groups.

Relevant screenshots and other digital evidence have been collected by the police, while further verification and examination of the digital evidence is still in progress.

Talking to The Tribune, DIG Soumya Sambasivam said, “Rave is the most dangerous cult. It is more sabotaging as it develops a whole ecosystem where art, music, spirituality, love and all kinds of human emotions are projected to be enjoyed at its best through drugs.”

She added that, the police are stepping up all its efforts to curb such illegal gatherings and keep a strict vigil on such celebrations.