Pune: Bumble Date Ends In Shocking Rs 23K Bill At Pub And Threats Of Violence
Varad Bhatkhande
Pune, 11th November 2023: Activist Deepika Narayan Bharadwaj raised concerns about a potential scam at Gypsy Moto Pub in Bhugaon, Pune. The alleged scam involves a man matching with a girl on the Bumble app, meeting at the pub, and being coerced into a whopping Rs 23,000 bill for hookah and wine.
The victim claimed the girl threatened violence and harm to him and his family if the bill was not paid. Bharadwaj posted a photo of a bill totalling Rs 23307 and tagged Pune City Police.
Zomato reviews further support these claims, with customers alleging blackmail, cheating, exorbitant prices, and horrible services. The controversy deepened as the Maharashtra government imposed a blanket ban on hookah parlours in 2018, punishable by a fine of Rs one lakh and imprisonment of up to three years.
In response to these allegations, Sushil Mokashe, the partner of Gypsy Moto Pub, said, “The claims are entirely false. I am willing to show registers, CCTV footage, and bills to prove the innocence of the pub. The bills mentioned in Bharadwaj’s tweet are not from my establishment, and I categorically deny these fake allegations.”
However, the Maharashtra government’s ban on hookah adds a layer of complexity. An anonymous inquiry to the pub confirmed hookah availability for Rs 500.
In response to inquiries, Mitesh Ghatte, Additional Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, said, “We are unaware of the place’s status right now. We will inquire and investigate this matter further.”
Contradictions between the pub’s menu on Zomato and the claims on social media persist, with allegations of hookah smoking priced at around Rs 10,000, significantly higher than standard market prices. Multiple Zomato reviews echo Bharadwaj’s claims, suggesting a potential violation of the state’s hookah ban.
