Bollywood socialite and influencer Orhaan Avatramani, popularly known as Ori, appeared before the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) of Mumbai Police on Wednesday for questioning in the Rs 252 crore mephedrone seizure case. He reached the Ghatkopar ANC unit at around 1.30 pm and was interrogated for about eight hours before leaving in the evening.An officer gave this information.
Ori reached the Ghatkopar unit of the ANC at 1.40 pm and was seen leaving after 9.30 pm. The official said that Ori had earlier been summoned to the ANC office last Thursday but he had asked for more time to appear there. According to the police, Ori’s name had come up during the interrogation of Mohammad Salim Mohammad Suhail Shaikh, the main accused in the Rs 252 crore Mephedrone seizure case.
According to sources, Ori did not cooperate with the investigators during interrogation. Authorities claimed he repeatedly denied involvement, saying he did not take drugs and knew nothing about drug use at the parties he attended. He also reportedly claimed that he attends so many parties both in India and abroad that he does not remember who was present or what happened at those events.
Read this also: Hong Kong Fire | Hong Kong’s worst fire, 44 dead so far, 300 people missing, three arrested for conspiracy murder
Sources said Ori insisted that she is invited to parties only to get photographed with celebrities and claimed that Bollywood personalities call her specifically to get photographed. He denied knowing the main accused Alishah Parkar and said that he had no connection with any drug supply chain. Investigators said he could be recalled.
Read this also: Rare mineral magnets are being imported from all countries, including China: Vaishnav
Officials further said that Revered Kapoor’s brother Siddhant Kapoor, who was interrogated in the same case a day earlier, had brought a new mobile phone during questioning. Police are now investigating Ori’s financial details, including his international trips, which will be cross-checked with the statements of accused Mohammad Salim Shaikh.
According to the police, Shaikh had claimed that he used to organize rave parties in the country and abroad for some film, fashion celebrities, a politician and a relative of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Police said that Ori was also included in the names taken by Shaikh in this case. According to the police, Mephedrone worth Rs 252 crore was seized from a clandestine drug factory in Maharashtra’s Sangli district. Shaikh, who was arrested in this case, took the names of many people including Ori.
Sheikh, known as ‘Lavish’ because of his lavish lifestyle, was extradited and arrested from Dubai last month. According to the information given by the police, Shaikh is considered to be a close associate of gangster Salim Dola who was allegedly involved in the production and distribution of Mephedrone in India.
According to the remand copy obtained earlier by India Today, another accused Tahir Dola claimed that drug parties were organized in India and abroad with Alisha Parker, Nora Fatehi, Shraddha Kapoor and her brother Siddhant Kapoor, Zeeshan Siddiqui, Ori, Abbas Mastan, Loca and many others. Investigators said he supplied drugs at these events.
The Enforcement Directorate and Mumbai Crime Branch are also investigating this syndicate and may call more celebrities, rappers and filmmakers for statements as the investigation deepens.Meanwhile, Ori recently came under the scanner in a separate case, when Jammu and Kashmir Police filed an FIR against him for allegedly consuming alcohol at a hotel near Vaishno Devi Shrine.