Mumbai: Missing Kandivali caterer declared absconding accused

The Yash Caterers office at Mahavir Nagar in Kandivli West

Hitesh Kanjibhai Rathod, a prominent caterer from Kandivali, has been declared absconding accused after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Dindoshi Session Court on January 6. Rathod, missing since December 11, had left a note for his staff citing debt as the reason, expressing an inability to fulfil commitments to clients. Following mid-day's report on Rathod's disappearance, numerous victims came forward, prompting Kandivali police to file an FIR and launch a search for Rathod.

Kandivali police detailed the allegations against Rathod and told the court, "The complainant visited ‘The Resort' at Aksa beach, and through the manager of the resort, they got the contact Hitesh Rathod. In January 2023, the complainant also visited Yash Caterer, run by Rathod in Kandivali. Later, they paid Rs 28 lakh to Rathod for a marriage function on the date of 27-28 December 2023, which includes food, residence, decoration, marriage event, etc. However, when the complainant visited the resort and found that Rathod did not make the payment and had absconded." The police also told the court that Rathod had cheated another person of Rs 39 lakh.

Rathod's advocate defended him in court, saying, "Rathod has not committed any offence as alleged against him, and he has been falsely implicated. Four months back, he suffered a huge loss in his business. Rathod also did not have the intention to cheat any of his customers. The FIRs are false and frivolous. The FIR lodged is false, and the news published in mid-day newspapers against him is also false. The complainant is also giving false information that Rathod also took the booking of the rooms and other charges.'

However, the police contested this, saying, "The accused not only cheated a single person but is involved in multiple incidents. The accused also committed similar types of cheating with others. Custodial interrogation of the accused is quite necessary."

A police source from Kandivali police station said, "We are in search of the accused. We will arrest him soon."

Dec 11
Day Rathod went missing