Over 85 Including Actors Allegedly Test Positive For Drugs At B'luru Rave Party

Karnataka Police busted a rave party at a farmhouse on the outskirts of Bengaluru in the wee hours of May 20, seizing narcotics and arresting five persons. Of the 103 partygoers, so far 86 have tested positive for drug consumption, allegedly including prominent Telugu actor, Hema Kolla. While she initially uploaded an Instagram video denying that she was ever at the party, the Central Crime Branch confirmed that she posted it while she was detained at the farmhouse. The police are investigating how she accessed the phone to record the video.

The FIR details that the party titled 'Vasu’s Birthday: Sunset to Sunrise Victory’ was held under the pretext of a birthday bash with 73 men and 30 women attendees, according to India Today.

Bengaluru Rave Party Busted

During the raid, the CCB officials recovered 15.56 grams of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 6.2 grams of cocaine, six grams of hydro ganja, and five mobile phones. Two vehicles were also impounded.

The arrested have been identified as L Vasu, 35; V Ranadheer, 43, Mohammad Abubakkar Siddiqui, 29, Y M Arunkumar, 35, and D Nagababu, 32. A case has been filed at the Electronics City police station.

Sources told news agency Indo-Asian News Service that each individual was charged ₹2 lakhs for entry. Police sources confirmed that they are strongly suspecting that the organisers were also running a sex racket.

Allegedly, Telugu actors Hema Kolla, Aashi Roy, and Srikanth are among those who have been accused of consuming drugs at the party. Kolla, who denied she was at the party, has tested positive for drug consumption. 

Roy denied the allegations of drug consumption. She said that she did not know the nature of the gathering and assumed it was a birthday party where they would also celebrate the cricket team Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Srikanth alleged that he was not in Bengaluru at that time and said that people had him confused with someone who looked similar to him at the party. He asserted that it is 'not in his culture' to attend rave parties.

Karnataka Opposition leaders have used the case to take a hit at the ruling government. Bharatiya Janata Party officials allege that the capital of the Siddaramaiah-led State is being known by the title of 'Udta Bengaluru'.

Bengaluru renowned Globally as the Silicon Valley, is now earning an ignominious reputation of "Udta Bengaluru"!

Unfortunate to see that Karnataka, particularly Namma Bengaluru is earning a bad reputation of being a paradise for Druggists & Rave parties.

How convenient that… pic.twitter.com/RqMLJxBGwj

— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (Modi Ka Parivar) (@BYVijayendra) May 24, 2024

Eyeing a 'drug-free Karnataka', Home Minister G Parameshwara warned that those who come to the State for studies or work and engage in drug sales or consumption are being monitored and will be sent back to their States.