Mira Rd gym dir in custody for duping members

A 40-year-old director of a fitness firm landed in jail for cheating scores of members by abruptly closing down his gym in Mira Road area.

Police sai the arrest came after 72 members, led by TV actress Aparna Sharma, lodged a complaint against the management of the fitness firm, who run the Elite Pro Fitness Gym at the rented first floor of Ashley Tower.

The members in the complaint stated that the gym had floated a scheme promising four-year membership on a one-time payment of `10,000.

The members in the complaint stated that the gym had floated a scheme promising four-year membership on a one-time payment of `10,000. Less than a year after the launch, scores of members were left in the lurch, as the firm, enlisted as a private limited company, abruptly shut shop. The operators expressed their inability to continue the gym owing to losses. When the members learnt that the equipment and fitouts were moved out in the middle of the night on Friday, they registered a police complaint.

“We have arrested one of the directors, identified asNatique Hussain, and booked him under Section 420 of the IPC,” said Vasant Labdhe, the senior inspector.

The investigating officer, SI Kamble said more arrests could not be ruled out.

Police on Saturday produced the accused in the district sessions court, Thane, which remanded him in twoday police custody.