Rave party crackdown in Goa: Sunburn Klassique co-promoter among those arrested

The Goa Crime Branch has arrested Shailesh Shetty, a co-promoter associated with Sunburn Klassique, in connection with an alleged “by-invite only” rave party held over the weekend at Vagator. Police said the arrest followed a late-night operation that uncovered narcotics worth more than ₹9 lakh at an indoor venue.

According to investigators, the party took place on Saturday night and continued into Sunday. Acting on specific intelligence, Crime Branch officers conducted a raid that led to the detention of 23 people. Among those arrested earlier was Kapil Jhaveri, who police allege played a key role in organising the gathering alongside Shetty. Three foreign nationals were also among those taken into custody.

Officers said the seizure included cocaine, MDMA, ecstasy tablets and charas, all recovered in “sizeable quantities”. The drugs were allegedly found at multiple points within the premises, suggesting organised consumption rather than isolated possession. Samples have been sent for forensic analysis as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police sources stated that Shetty was summoned for questioning on Sunday after preliminary statements pointed to his involvement in hosting the event. “He was called during the day, examined at length and booked by late evening,” a senior officer from the Goa Crime Branch said, confirming the arrest on Tuesday. Investigators allege that Shetty coordinated logistics for the indoor party with the main accused.

The arrests come amid heightened scrutiny of late-night events in North Goa, where authorities have repeatedly warned organisers against flouting licensing norms and narcotics laws. Vagator, a long-time magnet for electronic music and beachside parties, has seen a spate of crackdowns in recent months as police seek to curb illegal gatherings operating outside permitted hours or without proper approvals.

Officials stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that further arrests are possible. “We are examining call records, financial transactions and digital communications to establish the chain of organisation and procurement,” an officer said. Police are also verifying whether the event had any formal permissions and if there were prior violations linked to the organisers.

Those arrested have been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Police said they would oppose bail, citing the quantity and variety of drugs recovered. Meanwhile, authorities reiterated that enforcement would remain strict during the peak tourist season, warning that “invite-only” labels would not shield illegal parties from action.