Impostor Posing as Shiv Sena MP's PA Cheats Mumbai Eatery Owner

A man was detained on Wednesday for allegedly impersonating the personal assistant of Shiv Sena UBT MP Arvind Sawant. He is accused of defrauding the owner of the renowned Bademiya restaurant in Mumbai of over Rs 11.2 lakh. The suspect, Suraj R Kalav, reportedly ordered numerous plates of food from the restaurant and promised to secure admission for the complainant's daughter at the Government Law College, according to a police official.

The restaurant owner, Jamal Mohammed Yasin Shaikh, filed a complaint a few days ago. Shaikh stated that last month, Kalav contacted him, claiming to be MP Arvind Sawant's personal assistant and placed food orders to an address at Bharat Mata junction in Lalbaug, central Mumbai. Kalav ordered food daily from July 2 to 29, during the monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature, promising to clear the bill with a single payment.

Food Orders and Admission Promises

On the day Shiv Sena UBT leader Milind Narvekar was elected to the legislative council, Kalav ordered 200 plates of veg and non-veg biryani and gulab jamuns to an address in Mazgaon. Shaikh was assured that the Rs 2 lakh bill would be settled after the monsoon session concluded. Meanwhile, Shaikh inquired if Kalav could help get his daughter admitted to the Government Law College due to his alleged proximity to MP Sawant.

Kalav allegedly took Rs 9.27 lakh from Shaikh with a promise to secure the admission. However, Shaikh realised he had been deceived when Kalav stopped responding to his calls. A case for cheating and other relevant offences was registered at Kalachowki police station, leading to Kalav's arrest. The police official mentioned that further investigation is ongoing.

The incident highlights how individuals can exploit trust by posing as influential figures. It serves as a reminder for people to verify credentials before making significant financial commitments or trusting such promises.