After a five-day mysterious absence, Hitesh Rathod, a prominent catering businessman, informed a friend that he intended to surrender to the authorities. Rathod claimed to be in Surat and promised to return to the city on Friday night, citing financial crises as the reason for his disappearance. Anguished families of grooms and brides told mid-day that Rathod should not be allowed to get away easily.

The caterer had gone missing on Monday.