By Sudeshna Sarkar

Kathmandu, Aug 2 (IANS) When Sunil Gautam, a resident of Patna in India's Bihar state, went on a visit to Nepal's pilgrim city Janakpur across the border, he had no idea about the heavy price he would have to pay for the trip.

The owner of the Royal Restaurant on Janakpur's Zero Mile Road, an average eatery where Gautam had a single meal with his two friends, presented him with a bill that left the trio staggering.

It came to NRS 30,000.

When Gautam and his friends questioned the amount, they were beaten up by the two bouncers employed by the restaurant, the Kantipur daily reported Tuesday.

Police said the owner and his two men have been arrested and charged with cheating and assault Sunday.

Nepal is celebrating 2011 as its tourism year with the aim of bringing in 1 million air-borne tourists to give fresh impetus to its tourism industry, which is the main prop of the economy along with the money sent by Nepalis working abroad.

Indians account for over 60 percent of foreign tourists to Nepal