Big relief for Telugu actress Hema as Karnataka High Court quashes NDPS case

High Court rules that drug-use charges cannot stand due to lack of scientific testing standards and unreliable medical evidence.

In a major legal relief for Tollywood actress Hema, the Karnataka High Court has dismissed the NDPS case filed against her in connection with the May 2024 rave party raid in Bengaluru. The single-judge bench held that the charges could not be sustained due to the absence of reliable, standardised drug-consumption testing methods.

Hema was arrested after the Central Crime Branch (CCB) raided a rave party at GR Farms in Hebbagodi on May 19, 2024, during a birthday celebration attended by several individuals. She was among 88 people detained and subjected to medical tests at a private Bengaluru hospital, where she was accused of consuming MDMA.

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Court cites lack of scientific protocols

While allowing Hema’s petition seeking case dismissal, the court noted critical lapses in the investigation:

• The medical tests relied on by police were conducted at a private hospital without standardised forensic procedures.
• India has no nationally approved protocol for testing drug consumption through blood or urine samples.
• There is no National Nodal Drugs Testing Laboratory designated by the Centre.
• The forensic process used in the case lacked scientific credibility.

The court ruled that without recognised standards, such tests cannot be treated as reliable evidence. Therefore, continuing the NDPS case would not be legally sustainable.

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After the verdict, Hema appeared emotional in a video message, recalling the personal hardships she faced during the case. She said the stress had contributed to her mother's death and expressed relief that the court finally cleared her name.

During the raid, police claimed to have found MDMA pills and cocaine, registering cases of drug consumption and public disturbance at the Electronic City Police Station. A charge sheet was filed against 88 accused individuals, including Hema. She later approached the High Court seeking to halt proceedings and dismiss charges.

With the latest order, the court has officially quashed the case against her, bringing an end to the legal battle.

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