Escort service proves costly for the son of a UP legislator; a woman robs him of Rs. 1.5 lakh

Mumbai: The son of a BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh, who was in Mumbai on business with an NRI friend, filed a FIR with Vakola police alleging that he was robbed of Rs 1.5 lakh at knife-point by a woman from an escort service agency and her driver outside a five-star hotel in Santacruz (East) past midnight on Sunday. CCTV grabs, though, did not show any hint of violence. Mehar Singh Tanwar (40) told TOI via an SMS that his complaint was “true” and that the crime was committed inside the car and not near the hotel lobby. “Tell me why India is not safe? Thatâs the reason why I filed a police complaint. Robbing NRIs is a big racket in Mumbai. Even the DCP of that area visited the hotel,” he said. Cops picked up two persons from the escort service agency for questioning from a rented room in Vakola where they allegedly operated. “The two confessed that those who fell into their trap hailed from other cities and states. They did not file any complaint fearing humiliation,” said an investigator. When cops scanned the 10-minute CCTV grabs from the hotel, they saw Tanwar and his friend enter the hotel premises in a car with the woman seated next to them. As they got out of the car and walked towards the hotel lobby, the woman remained seated. “Tanwar and his friend thought the woman was right behind them, but within seconds, the car drove away. One of the persons who were detained told us that she left with the cash Tanwar had paid her,” said an investigating officer. “At this point, he was not seen as being either threatened or robbed, contrary to what he stated in his FIR,” a senior police officer told TOI on the condition of anonymity. In his FIR, Tanwar said, “I checked into the hotel around 4pm on Sunday. I told my friend that I wanted to go to a club at night and wanted to approach an escort service. My friend gave me a number and I got in touch with a person named Sameer at the agency. He sent photos of women on WhatsApp and I selected one.” Around 1am, the woman called and said she was waiting in a white car in the hotel premises. “She drove out of the hotel with us saying she wanted to talk outside. My friend sat with the woman while I sat in front. After striking a deal for Rs 30,000, we were being driven back to the hotel, when on the way, the driver robbed us of Rs 1.5 lakh at knife-point. They threatened us to leave on reaching and sped away.” They later informed the hotel and called the police control room before approaching the Vakola police. An FIR was lodged under the Indian Penal Code sections for robbery (397) and common intention (34). Vakola police senior inspector Mahadeo Wavale confirmed the case but refused to divulge any details.