Gujarat Police flags viral 'rent-a-Garba-partner' ads ahead of Navratri

Gujarat Police have issued a public caution over a wave of social media posts advertising paid Garba companions, as the state gears up for the Navratri festival. The cybercrime branch said it is examining the posts, which have circulated mainly on Instagram, to determine whether they involve fraud or other ulterior motives.

The advertisements offer Garba partners for hire under tiered packages, with rates beginning at ₹1,000 and going up to ₹2,000. The lowest-priced option, described as a silver package, covers two hours at a Garba event, matching outfits, basic dance steps and photographs styled as "awkward but cute selfies."

A mid-tier gold package, priced at ₹1,500, is advertised as four hours of Garba, along with a "cute backstory," matching outfits, Instagram reels and photos, and an optional service of calling one's friends "bhai and bhabhi." The top-end platinum package at ₹2,000 promises all-day Garba, the partner's best dance moves, a forehead kiss after the event, assistance with the dupatta and jhumka, and help getting home safely or to an after-party.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cybercrime Branch) Lavina Sinha said in a video statement that the posts are under investigation. "We are currently investigating the rent-a-partner posts on social media. We are checking if there is fraud or malafide intentions in such posts," she said.

Sinha urged the public to exercise caution with payment links and photo attachments received online, warning that such messages could carry embedded links capable of compromising messaging apps or bank accounts. Anyone who encounters such fraud should report it at the nearest police station, she added.

Garba is a traditional devotional dance from Gujarat, performed widely across the nine nights of Navratri. The festival this year begins on October 11 and runs through Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, on October 20.