RR Nagar police have arrested a couple for allegedly stealing gold ornaments and cash worth nearly Rs 85 lakh from their visually impaired friend, who had been living with them for several years.
The accused have been identified as Sharmila Seshadri (50) and her husband R Ganesh Kumar (52), residents of BEML Layout 5th Stage in RR Nagar. Police said the couple has been remanded to judicial custody.
According to police, the complainant, 66-year-old Padmaja Rao from Banashankari 6th Stage, had been staying at Sharmila’s residence for the past eight years. In June 2024, she reportedly shifted gold ornaments from a bank locker and stored them along with Rs 49.50 lakh cash inside a cupboard at the accused couple’s house.
Police said Padmaja, who suffers from severe visual impairment, had retained the cupboard key with herself. However, when she later attempted to move the valuables to another locker, she discovered that the key was missing. After arranging for a locksmith to open the cupboard, she found that the cash and jewellery had disappeared.
Gold recovered during investigation
During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to using the cash for business-related financial needs and handing over the gold ornaments to another acquaintance in Halasuru.
Based on the complaint filed on May 6, RR Nagar police registered a theft case and detained the couple the following day.
Police later recovered around 232 grams of stolen gold ornaments from the accused couple’s associate. Officials said the cash had already been spent.
Further investigation is underway.