Vizag businessman stays in Taj for over 100 days, allegedly disappears without paying Rs 12.34 lakh bill

How much do you think it takes to stay in a five-star hotel? Even the thought stops some of us from making a booking. And, then there was this businessman from Visakhapatnam or, at least he claimed to be. Shankar Narayana reportedly stayed in one of Taj Hotels' properties for over 100 days without being worried about the amount he might have to pay at the end of his stay. Why? Because he allegedly decided to disappear without paying the full bill. Well, this could be the real 'money heist' you should be amused about.

According to a complaint filed by the five-star hotel in Hyderabad, Narayana allegedly disappeared without clearing a bill of Rs 12.34 lakhs after staying for over 100 days. In its complaint, the management at Taj Banjara said that Shankar Narayana, who claimed to be a businessman from Visakhapatnam, had negotiated a deal on April 4 for a long stay and was allotted a suite at a discounted rate.

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At the end of his 102-day stay, the businessman was handed over a bill of whopping Rs 25.96 lakh. Upon much insistence, he cleared Rs 13.62 lakh by paying from time to time. However, Narayana allegedly left the hotel and did not return after the staff demanded that he clear the remaining Rs 12.34 lakh.

"We called him on his mobile phone several times and he assured that he would return in a few days to clear the pending bill. His mobile phone is switched off since the past few days. We have lodged a police complaint in this regard," an official was quoted as saying by IANS. 

A case of cheating and criminal breach of trust has been registered against the businessman at Banjara Hills Police Station. However, he claims that he had cleared the bill and has alleged that his reputation was being tarnished by the hotel. Narayan also said he was contemplating legal action against the hotel.