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Journalism of Courage
Five youths – four men and a woman in their early twenties – who visited a bar and restaurant in Rajasthan on the weekend pulled off what can be called a “dine-and-dash” maneuver. They allegedly fled across the state border to Gujarat, where they were finally caught and made to pay the bill amounting to Rs 10,910 by the restaurant’s management, who followed them for around 20 km between Abu Road in Sirohi, Rajasthan and Ambaji in Banaskantha, Gujarat.
The video of the altercation and demand for money by the hotel management has gone viral on social media.
The Indian Express spoke to the manager at Happy Day Hotel and Bar, located on the Abu-Ambaji road, about 11 km from the state border. Speaking of the incident, Piyush Lalwani said, “These four men and a woman, all in their mid-twenties, came to our hotel at about 10-11 am on Saturday (October 25). They had alcoholic drinks and starters. At about 4:30 pm, they asked for the bill, which had amounted to Rs 10,910. By the time the waiter went to get the bill, the four men left the hotel and went to the car, leaving only the woman at the table.”
Sources said all five customers are residents of Anand District in Central Gujarat.
As per sources, these five customers had drinks worth Rs 8130 and dessert items worth Rs 2780, totalling to Rs. 10,910. “The alcohol drinks include Tequila Shots (13 shots), Breezer Mango 4, Ultra max cans (Beer) 3 pieces, Breezer black berry 7 bottles each of 275 ml, Maharani Somras 60 ML, one bottle, Brezzer blue berry 275 ML 10 bottles,” the source added.
The dessert they had was Bundi Raita, Paneer Chilli, Peanut masala, Vegetable Cheese sandwich, Lasaniya Tikka, Kaju Fry, Green Salad, French Fries and Vegetable Hara Bhara Kabab.
Lalwami said, “When the waiter gave her the bill, she asked him to add two breezers. She told the waiter she would wait near the washroom, which is located near the gate. By the time the waiter could go get the breezers, the woman ran to the car and they started the vehicle and fled towards the state border with Gujarat.”
Lalwani said as soon as the five persons fled, they called an officer at the RICCO police station of Sirohi Police. “We gave the officer details of the black car and the registration plates, which we had beforehand since one of the men had ordered a dish to be delivered to the vehicle as well.”
However, Rajasthan Police couldn’t catch the car as they had allegedly crossed into Gujarat by then, however, with the manager and other hotel staff in hot pursuit.
The Indian Express also spoke to the concerned Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Bhawani Singh of RICCO police station, who confirmed the sequence of events.
Lalwani said, “Gujarat Police also tried to stop them but they did not stop. Instead, they kept driving towards Ambaji. At the entrance of Ambaji town there was a lot of traffic and these people had to stop their car. We managed to catch up with them and asked them for the money. They said they didn’t have the full amount but paid Rs 5,500. Then they borrowed more money from someone over a call and paid us the balance of Rs5,400 online. We caught the entire altercation on video in case there are some allegations later on.”
PI RB Gohil of Ambaji police station told The Indian Express he was not aware of the incident. Lalwani confirmed the hotel had decided not to file a police complaint as the tourists were “very young” and they had recovered their money.
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