Copyright newskarnataka
A group of tourists from Gujarat attempted to flee a hotel in Abu Road without clearing their ₹10,900 bill, triggering a police chase that ended with them being forced to pay the full amount online. Tourists attempt escape after lavish stay According to reports, the group — two men and a woman — had checked into the Holiday Hotel in Abu Road, Sirohi district. They ate, drank and rested at the property, racking up a bill of ₹10,900. When asked to make the payment, they allegedly tried to drive away in their Suzuki Baleno without settling the dues. The hotel owner, noticing the attempted escape, immediately alerted the police. Police intercept car near Ambaji Road Responding swiftly, local police teamed up with the hotel owner to track down the fleeing guests. They were intercepted near Ambaji Road in Abu Road, where officers questioned them about the unpaid bill. At first, the tourists claimed they had run out of money. However, under police supervision, they eventually transferred the full amount online, bringing the situation under control. Thanks to the prompt action of the hotel staff and the police, the establishment avoided financial loss. Incident sparks viral debate online A video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread reaction and sarcastic commentary. One Reddit user wrote, “Only in India, fraud can be settled with money. Ohh, you are a fraud? It’s okay, settle the bill and move on.” Others questioned the scale of the situation, with some debating whether a Baleno could be considered a “luxury car”. Another user remarked, “Only 8% of the population owns a vehicle. Imagine if 92% started owning cars — it would be suffocating.” Some also criticised the mention of the tourists’ ethnicity in media reports, arguing that crime should not be linked to community identity. Officials to tighten surveillance at tourist zones Police said no formal FIR was filed as the bill was paid in full and the matter resolved on the spot. However, officials at Abu Road have said they will step up CCTV surveillance and monitor similar tourist hotspots to prevent such incidents in the future. The hotel owner expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their swift response. “The police reached within minutes and helped us recover the dues. Without them, we might have suffered a loss,” he said. The incident has highlighted the recurring challenge of non-payment and fraudulent behaviour in tourist areas, especially during peak travel seasons. Authorities have urged hotels and resorts to adopt digital verification systems and collect advance payments to avoid such disputes.
