Pune: The United Hospitality Association has filed a written complaint with the police alleging that over that last few days, a couple has visited five to seven restaurants in the Camp and Deccan areas, planted insects in the meals after consuming a substantial portion and threatened managers with complaints as well as negative publicity — all to avoid paying the bill.The couple has also demanded compensation in some cases. They act as if they are about to vomit and extort cash to settle the matter, the complaint said.Restaurants said the two have targeted multiple eateries using the same modus operandi, creating distress among business owners.Owner of Sarangi restaurant in Camp Yashraj Shetty told TOI: “One lady and two men came in to the restaurant around 9pm and ordered a lot of food. They placed a big insect in the last item such that the CCTV could not catch it. They created a ruckus, took videos and said they know FSSAI officers who would close down the restaurant. They left without paying the Rs3,500 bill.”The couple did the same at four of PK Biryani outlets in the city. “The couple planted insects and created a scene at the cash counters. They left without paying bills of Rs1,700-Rs1,800 at each outlet,” said owner of PK Biryani Shivaji Patil.At Kings Persian Bistro in Camp, the couple similarly extorted money from the manager. The restaurant industry said it was saddened by such behaviour. “We take utmost care to prepare food and ensure that not even a strand of hair contaminates it. However, the credibility of a restaurant is questioned if scammers come and plant such stuff,” said a restaurant owner in Deccan.“Social media is a strong tool. Such videos surface almost daily and it is getting tough to judge if these cases are genuine or to defame a restaurant,” said an owner in Camp.Senior inspector of Lashkar police station told TOI that they are looking into the matter.
