Hotel Responds Post Orry and 7 Others Booked for Drinking Near Vaishno Devi Shrine

Orhan Awatramani, a well-known socialite and online personality, better known as Orry, and seven others recently faced legal consequences after allegedly breaking rules in Katra, Jammu. Authorities charged the group with consuming alcohol at a hotel, violating local regulations. Katra, a sacred town serving as the starting point for the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, prohibits alcohol and non-vegetarian food to maintain its sanctity. Despite being aware of these restrictions, Orry and his group reportedly drank alcohol in the hotel's Cottage Suite.

Rakesh Wazir, head of the Katra Hotel and Restaurant Association, responded to the incident, emphasizing the importance of respecting the town's spiritual significance. He suggested that visitors abstain from alcohol while in Katra, to maintain 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 occurred on March 15 in Katra, Jammu division, led to a police report (FIR No. 72/25) being filed at the Katra Police Station. According to a DNA report, the group, including Darshan Singh, Parth Raina, Ritick Singh, Rashi Dutta, Rakshita Bhogal, Shagun Kohli, and Anastasila Arzamaskina, was charged with consuming alcohol at a hotel despite being informed about the area's strict alcohol ban.

The Cottage Suite area in Katra, where the group allegedly consumed alcohol, has strict rules against non-vegetarian food and alcohol because it's close to the Vaishno Devi shrine, a revered 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."

The release stated that a team was formed under the supervision of the SP Katra, DySP Katra, and SHO Katra to find those who broke local laws and disrespected the feelings of devotees.