Outrage in Katra: Influencer Orry, Seven Others, and JDA Officer Booked for Violating Alcohol and Non-Veg Ban

No One Above the Law: Katra Crackdown After Influencer Orry and Associates Flout Alcohol Ban, JDA Officer Under Scrutiny

Influencer Orhan Awatramani (Orry) and seven others, were booked under FIR No. 72/25 at Katra Police Station for consuming alcohol, and allegedly serving non-vegetarian food, at Hotel Katra Marriott Resort & Spa, violating the strict ban in the holy town.
A female JKAS officer serving in the JDA was reportedly present at the gathering, raising serious questions about a government official’s disregard for the law and potential abuse of position. This is under police scanner
The Hotel Katra Marriott Resort & Spa management reported the incident after videos surfaced online, prompting criticism and demands for their inclusion in the FIR. SSP Reasi, Paramvir Singh, ordered immediate action, forming a team to investigate.
Public outrage and political pressure (from MLA Reasi) are mounting for strict and impartial action against all involved: Orry and his associates, the implicated JKAS officer, and potentially the Hotel Katra Marriott Resort & Spa management, for their roles in the violation. Strict Action needs to follow

jj correspondent
Katra, Jammu – March 17, 2025: A major controversy has erupted in the holy town of Katra, the base camp for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, after social media influencer Orhan Awatramani (known as Orry), seven associates, and a Jammu Development Authority (JDA) officer were booked for consuming alcohol and allegedly serving non-vegetarian food – actions strictly prohibited in the town since the time of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji. The incident, which came to light after videos surfaced online, has sparked outrage among devotees and residents, raising serious questions about enforcement of the law and the conduct of a government official.
On March 15th, Orry and his group, including Darshan Singh, Parth Raina, Ritick Singh, Rashi Dutta, Rakshita Bhogal, Shagun Kohli, and Anastasila Arzamaskina, were staying at Hotel Katra Marriott Resort & Spa (though different news mentions different hotel name and number of accused). According to the hotel management, despite being informed of the strict prohibition on alcohol and non-vegetarian food within Katra, the group consumed alcohol inside their Cottage Suite. The hotel manager subsequently lodged a complaint with the police, although the timing of the complaint – after the video went viral – has raised eyebrows.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police acted swiftly after the videos surfaced and public outcry grew. An FIR (No. 72/25) was registered at the Katra Police Station. SSP Reasi, Paramvir Singh (JKPS), taking cognizance of the serious violation, issued strict instructions to apprehend the individuals involved. He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards any act disrespecting religious sentiments or violating the law, particularly in a place as sacred as Katra. A dedicated team was formed under the supervision of SP Katra, SDPO Katra, and SHO Katra to investigate the matter and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
SSP Reasi, Paramvir Singh, in a strong statement, added, “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/alcohol and will be dealt with iron hands.”
The incident raises several critical questions. The fact that the hotel management seemingly only reported the violation after the video went viral prompts scrutiny. Critics are asking: where was the hotel staff during the incident? Did they provide service for the event, knowing it violated the town’s regulations? Many are demanding that the hotel management also be named in the FIR for potential complicity.
Perhaps most concerning is the alleged involvement of a JKAS officer serving in the JDA, who was reportedly present at the gathering. As a First-Class Magistrate, the officer’s alleged participation raises serious questions about their understanding and respect for the law – a law, as many have pointed out, that even a child in Katra is aware of. This raises concerns about accountability and whether the officer’s position will influence the investigation.
The public is now closely watching to see if the police will act impartially and take stringent action against all involved, including the hotel management, the JKAS officer, the individuals from Jammu who were part of the group, and Orry, who is perceived to have “high connections.”
MLA Reasi has also weighed in, stating his intention to raise the issue “vociferously” in the Assembly. He pointed to the existing controversy surrounding the opening of a wine shop in Katra, further highlighting the sensitivity surrounding alcohol consumption in the town.
The incident and the subsequent police action serve as a strong reminder that Katra, as a significant religious site, has strict rules that must be respected. The swift response by law enforcement underscores the administration’s commitment to upholding the sanctity of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and maintaining public order. The case is expected to set a precedent for stricter enforcement of laws at religious pilgrimage sites.