Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has stayed further proceedings against Telugu actor Kolla Hema in a drug abuse case linked to a rave party raid in Bengaluru last May.
The actor was chargesheeted under Section 27(b) of the NDPS Act based solely on the confession of a co-accused, with no supporting evidence of her consuming MDMA at the event. Vacation judge Justice Hemant Chandanagoudar noted this in his interim order on Tuesday while directing the government advocate to respond on behalf of the state.
Hema was arrested on June 3 last year by the Central Crime Branch after failing to appear for investigation. She faced allegations of consuming narcotics, providing false identification during the raid, having prior knowledge of banned substances, and attempting to mislead investigators through video statements. The rave party, held at a farmhouse near Electronics City, reportedly involved over 80 attendees consuming drugs.
Police filed a detailed chargesheet in September against 87 individuals, including Hema. She was released on bail 10 days after her arrest. Hema claimed no drugs were found in her possession and argued she was implicated based on a co-accused’s statement. Additionally, her medical examination occurred days after her arrest.
The actor filed an interlocutory application seeking to stay proceedings and quash the chargesheet. The court has allowed the stay, providing temporary relief pending further hearings.
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