PANAJI
In the latest case of fraudulent activity occurring in the name of tourism along the coastal belt, a young tourist has alleged that he was hoodwinked into believing that he would be furnished with a female companion. The incident serves as a stark reminder that the purported practices of prostitution and trickery persist despite efforts to curb the menace.
The Calangute police are investigating Pranav Sharma’s complaint, who arrived from Shimla on May 1 to holiday in the coastal State. He claimed that he paid Rs 3,500 to an unknown man who promised to provide him with “a girl” at a club past midnight on May 2.
The complainant subsequently realised he had fallen prey to a ploy after which he demanded a refund from the operator of a nightclub, where the alleged deal was struck. “The operator paid him Rs 2,000 but failed to refund the remaining cash. Insisting he should be paid the entire amount back, the complainant was assaulted and threatened with dire consequences by the bouncers and other unknown persons,” an officer said quoting the complaint.
While the accused remain unidentified and at large, police said they are investigating the FIR registered under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (causing hurt), 506 (ii) (threatening with dire consequences) read with 34 (common intention) of IPC. “We have zeroed in on some suspects. They will be questioned along with the club operator,” an official said.
The coastal belt, particularly the busiest stretch, has uncovered a disturbing trend of dance bars and illegal massage parlours. Police records itself indicate that in the recent past too, tourists have been duped by pimps who promise “massage service”, female companions, or exclusive entry to dance bars and then beat them up after relieving them of their money.
“The unscrupulous operators have been finding new and innovative ways to fleece visitors,” the police said, adding that a crackdown on illegal activities in the coastal belt is ongoing.
