Orhan Awatramani and seven others were booked for consuming alcohol in Katra, Jammu, violating local regulations. Katra, a base for the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, enforces a strict ban on alcohol.
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Bollywood socialite and internet personality Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry, along with seven others, recently landed in legal trouble after allegedly violating local regulations in Katra, Jammu. Authorities booked the group for consuming alcohol at a hotel, despite strict prohibitions in the region. Katra, a revered town serving as the base for the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, enforces a ban on alcohol and non-vegetarian food to maintain its sanctity. Despite being informed of these restrictions, Orry and his companions reportedly indulged in alcohol in the hotel’s Cottage Suite.
And now, Rakesh Wazir, president of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra, reacted to the incident saying that visitors should respect the town’s spiritual significance. He advised that as long as one is in Katra, alcohol should be avoided to uphold the sanctity of Mata Vaishno Devi.
“Today, the position of the Katra is that it is (alcohol) banned here. Garlic and onion are not used in the vegetables to maintain the sanctity of the Mata Vaishno Devi… Today, indeed, they have consumed it (alcohol) inside the room, but despite that, as long as you are in Katra, you should take care of it (not take alcohol). This is our thinking”, Rakesh told ANI.
“I was asked by many people how the hotel owner didn’t see it (consuming alcohol). I have spoken with the hotel,” he said.
The incident, which took place on March 15 in Katra, Jammu division, resulted in an FIR (No. 72/25) being registered at Katra Police Station. According to a report in DNA, the group—including Darshan Singh, Parth Raina, Ritick Singh, Rashi Dutta, Rakshita Bhogal, Shagun Kohli, and Anastasila Arzamaskina—was booked for consuming alcohol at a hotel despite prior warnings about the area’s strict ban on alcohol.
The Cottage Suite area in Katra, where the group reportedly drank alcohol, has strict rules against non-vegetarian food and alcohol because it’s near the Vaishno Devi shrine, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site.
As per a press release from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, “Taking cognizance of the complaint regarding an issue involving certain guests who were staying at Hotel of Katra and found taking alcohol, Katra police has lodged an FIR on March 15 against Orhan Awatramani (ORRY), Darshan Singh, Parth Raina, Ritick Singh, Rashi Dutta, Rakshita Bhogal, Shagun Kohli, and Anastasila Arzamaskina, who consumed alcohol in hotel premises despite being told that alcohol and non-vegetarian diet is not allowed inside cottage suite as it is strictly prohibited at such a divine place of Mata Vaishno devi pilgrimage.”
The release noted, “Sensing the gravity of the matter, strict instructions were passed by SSP Reasi Paramvir Singh (JKPS) to nab the defaulters, thereby setting an example of no tolerance of any such act of drugs or alcohol at religious places, which hurts the sentiments of the common masses.”
According to the release, a team was formed under the supervision of SP Katra, DySP Katra, and SHO Katra to identify those responsible for violating local laws and disregarding the sentiments of devotees.
