MLA seeks probe into 'Rent a Garba Partner' app in Mira-Bhayandar
MLA Narendra Mehta submitted a memorandum to the police commissioner seeking a probe into an app offering paid garba partners.
As preparations for Navratri garba and dandiya events gather pace in Mira-Bhayandar, Mumbai's suburbs and Thane, a demand has been raised for a probe and legal action over an app called 'Rent a Garba Partner' that has been the subject of discussion on social media. Mira-Bhayandar MLA Narendra Mehta met police commissioner Niket Kaushik and submitted a memorandum on the matter.
According to Mehta's memorandum, advertisements are being run on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media platforms under the name 'Rent a Garba Partner', offering women, men and young people as garba partners. These advertisements reportedly claim fees ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 6,500.
Taking the matter seriously, Mehta has demanded a probe into the app, its owner, those placing the advertisements and people claiming to offer services through this platform.
The MLA also raised the issue of women's safety in the memorandum. He said there is a risk of women and young women in particular being cheated through such platforms, along with the possibility of their personal information being misused or made public. He said it is necessary to immediately stop any irregularities taking place through such platforms.
Mehta has also demanded a probe into what service is actually provided through the 'Rent a Garba Partner' app, how registration is done for it, what information is taken from customers, and the nature of the advertisements running on social media. He said there should also be a probe into people or organisations promoting the app, apart from its owners. He said precautionary steps are needed so that the creation or promotion of such apps does not pose a threat to people's safety going forward.
MLA Narendra Mehta has also demanded that the police spread awareness among women and young women in particular on this matter, and appeal to them to be careful about giving out personal information, photos, mobile numbers or making financial transactions after being lured by such advertisements.
