Mumbai: The Sahar police have booked the owner of an event organising firm for allegedly defaulting on New Year Eve's party payment of Rs 1.38 crore owed to The Lalit, a luxury hotel located near the international airport.

According to the FIR, the accused, Labhansh Uchaharia owns Ansh Entertainment Company located in Palm Beach, Vashi. He had been frequently organising several events for the hotel and hence the manager knew him well.

In October 2024, Uchaharia, approached the manager and expressed his desire to organise a New Year Eve's party. Based on his previous works, the manager decided to have an arrangement with him for the December 31st party, said the FIR.

According to the agreement signed between both the parties, The Lalit agreed to provide the venue, food, drinks, security and licenses. As part of the deal, Uchaharia was required to pay Rs 1.78 crore advance to the hotel and take responsibility for arranging artists, production and ticket sales. However, he credited just Rs 29 lakh, alleged the manager, adding that repeated pleas to settle the payment fell on deaf ears.

On December 31, 2024, around 3 PM, the hotel management halted the party’s production work due to the non-payment of dues. However, they allowed preparations to resume considering Uchaharia's assurances that he would clear the dues after the party. Later, he went incommunicado, said the hotel management, prompting them to file the FIR.

The Free Press Journal attempted to contact him, but he remained unresponsive.