India, Feb. 1 -- A bizarre birthday invitation has left people stunned-attendees were asked to pay a $499 (over Rs.41,500) entry fee, with an additional $250 charge for bringing a guest. The host, recently elected to the city council and celebrating the purchase of a new home, justified the steep charges. A Reddit user who shared the invite quipped, "Gotta pay the mortgage somehow," sparking a heated discussion online.

The invitation did not specify whether the fee covered amenities like food or drinks, leaving many to speculate about the event's nature. Some suggested it might be a fundraiser disguised as a birthday celebration, noting the timing and pricing were typical of such events. One commenter observed, "Everything about this-inc...