Mumbai: Kandivali caterer’s account is empty!

Mumbai's popular caterer, Hitesh Rathod, has an empty bank account, a discovery made by Kandivali police while investigating. This sparks a mystery about vanished lakhs of rupees. Rathod had allegedly received over Rs 87.5 lakh from wedding families for catering. He told police he had used all the money to clear debts before disappearing. He claimed to have sought forgiveness at temples after fleeing the city, though police doubt his story.

For 25 years, Rathod has run Yash Caterers in Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West. On December 11, he left a note admitting his debt, unable to repay wedding families. He then shut off his phone, boarded a train, and arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on December 12.

Last week the change in guard at the Kandivali police station led to his arrest. Rathod, now in custody, revealed his activities since disappearing. He was presented in Borivli magistrate court on Monday, he was remanded until February 13.

On December 13, Rathod acquired a new SIM card under a relative's name and visited Rajkot's Chamunda Devi Mandir. In the meanwhile, false reports began circulating on WhatsApp of his suicide in Palghar. However, he later contacted his family and the report proved to be false.

Temple run

Rathod decided to visit temples across India in search of miracles, reaching Sarangpur on December 14 and visiting the Shree Kasthabhanjan Dev Hanumanji Temple. On December 15, he went to Saputra and visited many temples.

After seeking blessings on December 16, Rathod returned to Mumbai and stayed in Andheri's Dongri area. On December 22, the Kandivali police finally registered an FIR after receiving complaints. Rathod got wind of the FIR and began visiting his flat in Mira Road during the day but slept elsewhere at night to avoid arrest. He also learned that police often try to track down suspects at night, so he continuously changed his location during the night.

A police officer stated, "Rathod learned about the FIR and subsequently hired a lawyer to file an anticipatory bail application at the Dindoshi session court. However, the court rejected his bail application."

New cop takes over

Sources revealed that the former Senior PI of Kandivali police did not take any strict action after Rathod went missing and into hiding. Despite the rejection of the anticipatory bail application and Rathod being declared absconding accused, it was with the arrival of the new Senior Inspector Gyaneshwar Ganore at the Kandivali police station that action was taken against Rathod within 48 hours, leading to his arrest.

The police officer added, "Rathod claimed that he used the booking amount to repay debts and keep the business running. However, he failed to do so and unable to handle the situation, he absconded. He insisted that he had only used the money to repay debts, with around 30 per cent spent on himself."

Dec 11
Day Rathod went missing

Rs 87.5 lakh
Amount missing from Rathod's bank account