Mob runs amok as party turns damp squib

New Year celebrations at The Great India Place turned violent on Friday night as promised celebrities did not make an appearance. The agitated audience vandalised property and the police had to resort to mild lathicharge to control the mob. HT reports.

New Year celebrations at The Great India Place turned violent on Friday night as promised celebrities did not make an appearance. The agitated audience vandalised property and the police had to resort to mild lathicharge to control the mob.

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On a spectator's complaint, a case was registered on Saturday against the organisers for cheating people.

"A complaint was registered against organisers Shaiki Gupta, Shankar Batla, Ankur Rathi, Pravin Kumar and others. While Batla and Kumar have been arrested, a manhunt has been launched to arrest the others," said HN Singh, superintendent of police. "The audience claimed they were charged Rs 3,500 to R7,000 per couple. Around 500 tickets were sold. They claimed they had bought them for Punjabi pop singers Jasbir Jassi, Honey Singh, Diljit Singh and others."

"We have told spectators to keep their tickets intact. We will arrange a refund. The main organiser is absconding. He had booked a space outside the mall, used for weddings and other functions, from TGIP's management," the police officer said.

According to the police, the organisers paid the signing amount and airfare to celebrities who did not reach because of some unsaid reason.