'Baba ka Dhaba' Owner Files Case Against YouTuber Who Shared His Video For Misappropriation Of Funds

The owner of Delhi's now popular roadside eatery ‘Baba ka Dhaba’ in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar, has filed a complaint against YouTuber and Instagram influencer Gaurav Wasan for misappropriation of the funds collected in his name on Sunday.

80-year-old Kanta Prasad had gained massive popularity on social media after a video of him recounting his ordeal due to the pandemic went viral. The video was shot and shared by Wasan. However, Prasad has alleged that Wasan had been misusing the monetary relief collected to help him and his wife.

Gaurav Wasan didn’t provide any information about the donations received: Kanta Prasad

In his complaint the owner of 'Baba Ka Dhaba' wrote that the social media influencer had posted the video on social media, asking the public to donate money to the eatery's owner. But according to the 80-year-old, Wasan had “intentionally and deliberately” shared the bank details of himself and his friends and family members only. Following this, he collected huge amounts of money through the donations that he received from the public “without providing any information to the complainant.”

“We received the complaint yesterday at the Malviya Nagar Police Station and the matter is being probed. No FIR has been registered yet in the case,” DCP (South) Atul Kumar Thakur said.

Also Read: 5 Things To Know About Delhi’s Baba Ka Dhaba That Gained Overnight Fame

Talking to The Indian Express, Kanta Prasad said that he has only received a cheque of two lakh rupees from Wasan. He added that people now come to his eatery just to take selfies. “I don’t get a lot of customers now. Earlier I was earning over Rs 10,000 per day, now it is Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000,” he said.

Have transferred all the money collected to Baba’s account: Gaurav Wasan

The social media influencer has however denied the allegations levied against him. Wasan said that he had transferred all the money collected through donations into Prasad’s account. “I didn’t want people to harass Baba so I shared my bank details instead of his,” he revealed. While some YouTubers alleged that Wasan had received over Rs 20-25 lakh, he denied the same, saying that he has initiated legal action against them.

Also Read: Netizens Extend Help After Video Of Old Couple At Baba Ka Dhaba Crying Over Slow Business Goes Viral

The south district police have initiated a probe into the allegations by the elderly couple.

On October 7, the heartbreaking video of the teary-eyed Prasad and his wife shot and shared by Wasan went viral. In the video, the couple can be seen recounting the problems they were facing as the business for their roadside eatery had slowed down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Netizens started sharing the video widely, leading to many people including celebrities coming forward to extend monetary help to the elderly couple, and urging people to support local businesses and street shops in midst of the pandemic.

Shikha Chandra is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.