Couple arrested for stealing friend’s gold and cash from their cupboard locker in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A couple from BEML Layout in Rajarajeshwari Nagar was arrested on charges of stealing gold ornaments and cash belonging to their friend, who was staying at their house since 2019. Police recovered 232 grams of ornaments worth Rs 35 lakh.

The accused are Ganesh, 52, and Sharmila, 50. Police said the victim, Padmaja Rao, suffers from vision problems. Her husband left her many years ago, after which she stayed with her daughter before shifting to her friend Sharmila’s house.

In June 2024, Padmaja withdrew her valuables, including gold ornaments weighing 570 grams and Rs 49.5 lakh in cash, from a bank locker and kept them in a cupboard at Sharmila’s house.

Trouble began when Padmaja found the locker key missing. When she asked Sharmila to arrange for a locksmith, the couple started dilly-dallying. A suspicious Padmaja then contacted a locksmith herself and opened the locker, only to find the gold ornaments and cash had disappeared.

When confronted, the couple admitted to using the cash for their business needs and pawning the gold ornaments at jewellery shops. Following Padmaja’s complaint on May 6, Rajarajeshwarinagar police registered a case and arrested the couple on May 7.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Bakrid wishes, messages and eid 2026