Friend's Betrayal: Couple Steals Valuables Worth Lakhs

In a distressing turn of events in Bengaluru, a couple residing in BEML Layout, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, have been arrested for stealing a significant amount of gold ornaments and cash from a close friend. Ganesh, 52, and Sharmila, 50, stand accused of defrauding Padmaja Rao, who had been a guest in their home since 2019.

Ms. Rao, who has vision impairments and whose husband left her many years ago, had placed her trust in the couple. In June 2024, she withdrew her valuables, comprising 570 grams of gold ornaments and Rs 49.5 lakh in cash, from a bank locker. She stored these precious items in a cupboard at Sharmila's house.

The situation escalated when Ms. Rao discovered that the locker key was missing. After facing delays from the couple regarding a locksmith, she independently hired one. Upon opening the locker, she found that both the gold and cash had vanished. The accused couple confessed to using the cash for their business and pawning the gold. Following Ms. Rao's complaint on May 6, the Rajarajeshwarinagar police swiftly registered a case and apprehended the couple the following day, recovering 232 grams of ornaments valued at Rs 35 lakh.