‘Rent-a-girlfriend’ rackets thrive in MP on during Valentine’s week:From emotional support to ‘non-veg meetings’, networks offer packaged companionship by hour

Love—once seen as an emotion built on trust and connection—has turned into a paid “package” in parts of Madhya Pradesh. For singles who want to celebrate Valentine’s Week, networks operating in Indore and Bhopal are offering “girlfriends on rent,” with hourly rates and special Valentine pricing. A Bhaskar investigation has uncovered how these rackets function through Instagram and WhatsApp, promising movie dates, café outings, long drives, Netflix nights and even “emotional support.” Additional charges apply for what they call “non-veg meetings.” How exactly does this entire network operate? Read the report… Social media as the entry point The investigation began with an Instagram page named The Indore Friend, which claimed: We provide friends on rent in Indore. Emotional support, movies, shopping or long drives… completely safe and secure. Another video read: If you are alone and want to watch a movie, you can book a friend from us. Valentine’s Day posts were more direct: If you are single this Valentine’s Day and need a partner, why worry? Indore Friends is here. Another offer stated: Do you need a friend or a girlfriend? Make this Valentine’s special. Book your girlfriend now. Reporter poses as customer To probe further, the Bhaskar reporter contacted the page as a customer. A reply came quickly: “Hi, please let us know how we can help you.”
“Ji sir, how can I help you?” When asked about Valentine’s Day plans, the operator responded: “Sir, we can arrange a friend for movies, café dates, long drives or Netflix enjoyment.” On asking about safety and location, the operator insisted on a phone call. The next day, the reporter called the number provided. ‘Vikram’ Explains the Booking Process The caller identified himself as Vikram. Reporter: We couldn’t speak yesterday.
Vikram: Sir, busy schedule. Tell me your plan.
Reporter: What can you arrange for Valentine’s Day?
Vikram: 14th February? We already have many advance bookings—mostly hourly. Still, I’ll check and send you available profiles.

Disclosure of ‘Veg’ and ‘Non-Veg’ Packages After choosing the photo, the young man, who introduced himself as Vikram Singh Rajput, called the reporter. He said, ‘The one you tagged in the yellow and black dress, both are the same girl, so there’s no confusion. If you say so, I can arrange for you to talk to her.’ After this, he directly talked about money, saying – ‘My advance will be 3 thousand. Out of this, 2 thousand is my fee, and 1 thousand is for the madam. Whatever the remaining amount is, you can pay them by deducting 1 thousand. If you want, I can arrange a call with her right now.’ The reporter asked if the location would remain Indore or if it could be outside as well? To this, Vikram replied, ‘For now, it will remain Indore, sir. My work is not such that I would tell you it can happen even in hell. Those who don’t send, they say – Bhopal, Nicobar, Dubai… I will only say where it is possible.’ He reassured, “My name is Vikram Singh Rajput, save it. Use my work once, next time you’ll come yourself – for yourself, for your friend.” After this, Vikram said, “Let me talk to Madam first, then I’ll conference call you. I’ll step aside, you can decide the time and location.” Soon after, he added a girl to the conference call. He then discussed advance payment: ₹3,000 advance—₹2,000 is my fee, ₹1,000 for madam. The rest you pay her directly after deducting ₹1,000. He added: My name is Vikram Singh Rajput. Save my number. Use my service once, you’ll come again. Soon after, he arranged a conference call with a girl who introduced herself as “Nitya.” ‘Veg or Non-Veg Meeting?’ Nitya: Hi.
Reporter: Hello.
Nitya: What do you do?
Reporter: Property business.
Nitya: Planning for today or Valentine’s?
Reporter: Valentine’s special.
Nitya (laughing): Still single all these years?
Reporter: Not married yet. What do you do?
Nitya: I work from home. She said she could spare 4–5 hours. Then she asked: Nitya (laughing): “Will it be a veg meeting or non-veg meeting?”
Reporter: (Pauses)
Nitya: “Non-veg, right?” She clarified: You pay sir for booking. For non-veg, I charge separately. That’s between you and me. Payment is on the spot. The terms suggested that “veg” referred to public outings, while “non-veg” implied intimate arrangements. The Advance Payment Mechanism After the call, Vikram sent a QR code and asked for ₹3,000 in advance. When the reporter expressed doubt, Vikram initiated a video call and showed an Excel sheet listing names and bookings ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000. He claimed: Clients even come from Gujarat. However, he refused to share a direct PhonePe or Google Pay number, insisting on payment through the QR code. When ‘Nitya’ didn’t show up Even after the advance was paid, Nitya did not turn up. She gave excuses—first a sick aunt, then not having an appropriate dress. Two days later, Vikram informed the reporter that Nitya would not be available, but her friend “Kavya” would meet instead. The meeting was fixed at a café in Vijay Nagar, Indore. Kavya arrived before the reporter. Reporter: Hi.
Kavya: Hello.
Reporter: You’re even more beautiful than Ananya.
Kavya: She’s my friend. How’s life?
Reporter: Been single so far. Thought I’d celebrate Valentine’s.
Kavya: You will. I’m here. She claimed she had come to Indore from Gwalior to study and that a friend had introduced her to this “work-from-home” opportunity. She said she had never met Vikram personally but had heard he was from West Bengal. Beyond dating: Spa links and male escorts The investigation also extended to several spa centres in Indore and Bhopal. At multiple locations, staff claimed they could arrange “good service” with college or hostel girls. In one case, an employee sent a girl’s photograph the following day. In another instance, when a number linked to a similar network was contacted, the operator offered details of a “Male Escort Club.” The message claimed availability in Hyderabad, Delhi, Bhopal and Indore, stating that NRI and other female clients pay ₹8,000–₹12,000 per hour. How the network operates The investigation indicates a structured model: “Veg” (public date) and “non-veg” (intimate) services are priced separately. If one girl cancels, another is sent as replacement. Young women are reportedly lured with promises of easy income through work-from-home offers. A Valentine’s day business model What is presented as emotional support and companionship appears to function as a well-organised, monetised system—especially around Valentine’s Day, when demand spikes. As social media lowers barriers for such transactions, concerns grow around exploitation, safety and legality. For now, in parts of Madhya Pradesh, companionship comes with a rate card—and love, at least for some, is being sold by the hour.