In a shocking turn of events at Gypsy Moto Pub in Bhugaon, Pune, a Bumble date took an unexpected and troubling turn for one individual. What started as a potential romantic encounter ended with a staggering Rs 23,000 bill for hookah and wine, along with threats of violence. The incident has sparked concerns about a possible scam, drawing attention from activist Deepika Narayan Bharadwaj and garnering support from disgruntled Zomato reviewers.
Deepika Narayan Bharadwaj, a prominent activist, brought the incident to light by posting a photo of the hefty bill on social media. The victim alleges that the girl he matched with on the Bumble app coerced him into paying the exorbitant bill and threatened violence against him and his family. The situation escalated when Bharadwaj tagged Pune City Police in her tweet.
The controversy surrounding Gypsy Moto Pub deepened as Zomato reviews surfaced, with customers expressing grievances such as blackmail, cheating, exorbitant prices, and subpar services. Adding another layer of complexity, the Maharashtra government had imposed a blanket ban on hookah parlours in 2018, punishable by a fine of Rs one lakh and imprisonment of up to three years.
Sushil Mokashe, the partner of Gypsy Moto Pub, vehemently denied the allegations, stating, “The claims are entirely false. I am willing to show registers, CCTV footage, and bills to prove the innocence of the pub. The bills mentioned in Bharadwaj’s tweet are not from my establishment, and I categorically deny these fake allegations.”
However, the situation becomes murkier considering the Maharashtra government’s ban on hookah. An anonymous inquiry to the pub confirmed hookah availability for Rs 500, raising questions about potential violations of the state’s ban.
In response to the allegations, Mitesh Ghatte, Additional Superintendent of Police, Pune Rural, stated, “We are unaware of the place’s status right now. We will inquire and investigate this matter further.”
Contradictions between the pub’s menu on Zomato and the claims on social media persist, with allegations of hookah smoking priced at around Rs 10,000, significantly higher than standard market prices. Multiple Zomato reviews echo Bharadwaj’s claims, suggesting a potential violation of the state’s hookah ban.
