Owner opens gym for cash to pay rent, among 17 held

Gurgaon: Anxiety, discomfort and desperation can make people cross ‘limits’ and even break the law. This happened when a gym owner organised a workout session for select patrons and landed in legal trouble.
Even as the administration has issued relaxations under Unlock 1.0, gymnasiums and spas have not been given the approval to operate.
This lockdown has had different impact on different sections of people. Two migrant workers committed suicide in May due to financial issues, Gurgaon police chief recently issued an order telling policemen to remove their shoes before entering police stations when they return from duty and a few fitness freaks flouted lockdown norms for a workout session at the gym.
On Monday, Dheer Katariya (32), owner of Mould Gym in Dayanad Colony, called up a few of his customers and informed them that the gym would be open from Tuesday. Police got the information and on conducting a raid found 17 people, including Katariya, inside the gym. More so, none had worn their mask and there was no measure of social distancing adopted on the premises.
All 17 were arrested for violation of lockdown norms.
So what drew this gym owner to break the norms and open the gym? “Financial crisis,” said Katariya.
The gym has large numbers equipment and is spread over two floors and is one of the most prominent gyms of the locality. Katariya had taken loan to buy the equipment and also had to pay huge rent for two floors of the building. “I had to pay rent, interest and take care of my family from this gym’s earnings,” said Katariya adding that long lockdown has crippled his business.
Elaborating further Katariya said he was aware about the restriction but he had no choice. “I called only select members for the workout,” said Katariya, adding that he was hoping to arrange funds for paying rent.
Station house officer (SHO) of Sector 5 police station, Ved Prakash said, “A group of men were found exercising without mask and and they were also not following social distancing norms,”
A case was registered under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the IPC and Section 51(B) of Disaster Management Act against Katariya and 16 others. “They were arrested from the spot and later released on bail,” an officer said.