Karnataka High Court stays drug case proceedings against actress Hema

Bengaluru: The high court has stayed further proceedings against Telugu actress Hema in a drugs case following the raid on a rave party in Bengaluru in May 2023. Vacation judge Justice Hemant Chandanagoudar passed this order while allowing the interlocutory application (IA) filed by the actress seeking a stay on the proceedings under the provisions of the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) had levelled allegations of consumption of narcotic drugs, giving false names and phone numbers during the raid, prior knowledge about the drugs in the rave party and efforts to mislead the investigation by making video statements against the actor.

"It is submitted that petitioner has been charge sheeted for the offences punishable under Section 27(b) of the NDPS Act only on the confession statement of the co-accused and there is no corroborative material to substantiate that petitioner had consumed MDMA in a rave party. Hence, the government advocate is directed to take notice for the respondent-State. Interim order as prayed for in so far as it relates to petitioner herein till the next date of hearing," the court said.

The rave party was held at a farm house near Electronic City and the prosecution claimed that more than 80 participants had consumed drugs. Hema was arrested on June 3, 2023 after she failed to appear for investigation. The special court had released her on bail 10 days after the arrest. In her petition, the actress has prayed for setting aside the charges framed against her in the charge sheet and further proceedings pending before the 8th Additional District and Sessions Judge and Special judge for NDPS cases, Bengaluru Rural District.