A tour operator leading a group of approximately 145 pilgrims on the Chardham pilgrimage in Uttarakhand has landed in serious legal trouble after police seized numerous liquor bottles from his ashram accommodation. The group had travelled from Madhya Pradesh for the pilgrimage, only to discover that their coordinator was covertly consuming alcohol and concealing illicit supplies inside the premises where they were accommodated.
Surprise Search at Sambhavna Ashram in Chamoli
The journey was organised by Kewal Ram, a resident of Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh, who brought the 145 pilgrims to Chamoli. The entire contingent was lodged at Sambhavna Ashram, located in the Mayapur area of the town. Following confidential alerts regarding suspicious behaviour inside the facility, local police personnel executed a surprise inspection of Kewal Ram's assigned quarters. The raid uncovered a substantial cache of half and quarter liquor bottles alongside other suspected intoxicating materials.
Bottles Concealed in Paper Among Personal Belongings
Initial inquiries revealed that the operator had been discreetly drinking inside his room throughout the journey. To avoid detection by the pilgrims and ashram authorities, he wrapped the empty glass containers in sheets of paper before stashing them deep inside his bags and folded clothing. A video recording documenting the seizure surfaced on social media platforms, showing multiple paper-wrapped bottles scattered across the floor of the room during the search.
Outrage Among Devotees and Impending Legal Action
Devotees who had entrusted their travel arrangements to the organiser expressed intense shock and anger upon learning about the discovery. The act of bringing and consuming intoxicants within an ashram setting during a sacred religious tour has drawn widespread condemnation. Chamoli police have impounded all the illicit items found at the scene and are proceeding with formal legal action and a detailed inquiry against the accused.
