Social media influencer Orhan Awatramani is also known as Orry. File
| Photo Credit: Instagram/@orry
Renowned social media influencer Orhan Awatramani, widely known as Orry, was among eight people booked by the J&K Police for consuming alcohol in Jammu’s Katra, which houses the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, in violation of the prohibitory orders in place.
“A video clip (showing consumption of alcohol) was circulated on social media. The general manager of the hotel also confirmed that Orry and others consumed alcohol at the hotel. Katra is a holy town and people’s sentiments are attached to it. Alcohol is prohibited in the town. Law is the same for all. We will issue notices so that they cooperate in the investigation,” Paramvir Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Reasi, said.
Also read: Who is Orry? Bollywood influencer booked for consuming alcohol near Vaishno Devi
Mr. Awatramani and the other seven people are facing a case at the Katra police station under FIR NO. 72/25. The incident took place on March 15 inside Cottage Suite in violation of prohibitory orders imposed by a local magistrate.
“Sensing the gravity of the matter, the strict instructions were passed by SSP Singh 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,” a police statement said.
A police team has been tasked to “track the culprits who violated the rule of the land” and showed “disrespect to the sentiments of the people connected with the faith”.
“There is no place for those who don’t follow the law of the land and try to disrupt the peace by resorting to any means, especially by way of drugs and alcohol. They will be dealt with iron hands,” the SSP said.
Meanwhile, the All J&K Shia Association also sought action in a video purportedly showing unknown girls dancing in front of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar. The video, being shared widely by netizens, is believed to have been shot in December last year.
“We are deeply aggrieved by the viral video of some girls dancing in the sacred courtyard of Dargah Shrine. Such acts disrespect our revered spaces. Though the video is old, we demand an investigation into how this incident took place despite heavy security presence,” a spokesman of the Shia body said.
The body urged J&K Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi “to ensure a thorough probe to prevent such events from occurring in the future”.
“We question the unawareness of the local administration regarding the incident. Robust measures must be implemented to safeguard these sites from misuse,” the spokesman added.
Published – March 17, 2025 12:18 pm IST
