India, Jan. 8 -- The owner and a trainer of a gym in Mulund East were booked on Saturday for allegedly defrauding 205 members by abruptly shutting down the facility after collecting annual subscription fees. The accused collected approximately Rs.20.05 lakh from the members, the police said.

According to the police, Swapnil Nigot and Ajinkya Bhandwilkar rented some space at Hanuman Chowk, Mulund East and started Flexfit Gymnasium in February 2024. In July 2024, the gym was handed over to Salokhe, a trainer, to operate. The accused, Nigot and Salokhe, allegedly lured customers with heavily discounted annual membership plans and subsequently closed the gym without refunding the money.

Based on the complaint of a member, Nilesh Nandre, 53,...