A businessman from Andhra Pradesh allegedly absconded without clearing the bills at the posh Hotel Taj Banjara in Hyderabad's Banjara Hills after staying for 102 days. The general manager of the hotel, who approached the police and filed a complaint, claimed that the accused, Shankar Narayan, had a pending bill of Rs 12.34 lakh.
According to the police complaint, Shankar approached the hotel and reached an agreement with the management for a luxury suite at a discounted rate, as he wanted to stay for a long duration. The management of the hotel claimed that on April 15 this year, he left without informing anyone, with a huge bill pending under his name.
“The total bill came to Rs 25.96 lakh. Out of this, he paid Rs 13.62 lakh. The outstanding amount as on the day he absconded on April 15 this year was Rs 12.34 lakh. After he absconded, the hotel management called him several times and he gave assurances that he would pay the amount. However, his phone is now switched off,” Banjara Hills Sub-Inspector Ravi was quoted as saying.
As they reportedly could not reach the businessman after repeated calls, the management said that they approached the police, who have registered a case under Sections 406 (Criminal breach of trust) and 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the IPC.
The police said that they had collected CCTV footage from the hotel as evidence and further investigation was ongoing. Investigation officials are expected to issue a notice to the businessman soon.
Meanwhile, the businessman, who is a resident of Visakhapatnam, denied the allegations, telling the Times of India, “I am a real estate businessman and I checked out of Taj Banjara after clearing the dues. I have no idea why the hotel has filed a police complaint against me. My reputation is tarnished. I will handle the case legally.”