TV show Nach Baliye SMS racket unearthed

PTI

MUMBAI: The sending of obscene messages by a man to his wife has resulted in the unearthing of an operandi used by two TV stars participating in an ongoing dance reality show to garner maximum votes through SMS.

"Two stars in the show Nach Baliye-II had procured 200 prepaid SIM cards from a dealer in Andheri so that they can get maximum votes to win the competition," DCP of Thane Crime Branch Sanjay Shintre said.

According to police, three of the cards given to the couple's choreographer on the Star One show made their way to a small time businessman based in Thane.

"He used the connections to send obscene SMS to his wife who lodged a complaint with us," said an official of the Thane Cyber Crime Cell.

"It is possible that the businessman knew the choreographer. But we cannot act much in the case as the woman has withdrawn her complaint after coming to know that the sender of the obscene SMS was her husband," Shintre added.

Officials said that the police could act upon the case only if other participants or the organisers of the show complain to them.

Media reports here said the couple participating in the reality show had bought 200 SIM cards (mobile connections) of a private mobile company registered in a third person's name so that they can get maximum 'audience' votes in the reality dance competition which is at a crucial stage. Shintre, however, denied confirming if the couple was involved in the case.