Maharashtra: Thane man duped of Rs 37 lakh by couple on promise of setting up gym

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A 40-year-old man from Dombivli in Maharashtra's Thane district was allegedly cheated by a couple who promised to start a gym and took Rs 37 lakh from him, police said. The victim, a manager at an automobile showroom, filed a complaint with the Naupada police station, leading to the registration of a case under sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Mandar Mukund Sabnis and his wife Varsha, news wire PTI reported.

The alleged cheating took place after the victim, who frequented a gym in Dombivli, came in contact with the accused in 2021, the PTI report said. Sabnis informed him about their plan to establish a gym and sought financial assistance. The couple claimed that the gym project, set to be located in Thane and Dombivli, would cost Rs 1.50 crore. From 2021 onwards, the victim handed over a total of Rs 37 lakh to the couple for the proposed gym, which, as per the complaint, was never materialized, the PTI report added.

Upon questioning the accused about the non-existent gym, they allegedly provided vague responses, prompting the victim to approach the police and file a complaint. The case is now under investigation.

Meanwhile, six persons allegedly posed as officials of the anti-corruption bureau and raided a bar and restaurant in Navi Mumbai on Friday.

News wire PTI reported that an offence was registered against the alleged accused under sections 170 (personating a public servant), 342 (wrongful confinement) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

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As per the complaint lodged by a bar employee, the accused allegedly entered the bar posing as ACB officials around 9 pm. They carried fake ID cards and drove out customers from the establishment, PTI reported quoting the officials.

They allegedly assaulted and locked up women employees in the kitchen, and they threatened action against the hotel management, he said, adding that the bar incurred a loss of Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000, as customers were forced to leave without paying bills

The accused have been identified as Sanjay Nirale and Jyoti Panchal, both journalists, Sagar Nalawade, Harshala John, Divya Nair and Vaishali Patil, the official said. (With inputs from PTI)