In a bizarre turn of events at the Shri Ganesha Temple in Banashankari III Stage, a techie’s ₹16,000 Asics shoes vanished within minutes of his holy visit. What started a a spiritual darshan quickly turned into a sneaker heist.
The devotee parked his branded shoes beside other footwear before entering the temple around 7:20 PM. He returned barely five minutes later — and to his shock, his prized Asics were missing. The man immediately suspected foul play and lodged a police complaint.
Caught on CCTV
Security cameras at the temple captured a suspicious scene: a man walked in barefoot, mingled among the footwear area, and walked out wearing a pair of shoes — allegedly the victim’s Asics. It was a slick move, executed under the guise of a fellow devotee.
This incident is not isolated. Temple staff admitted that shoe thefts happen with surprising regularity. In past cases, stolen footwear — even those high in value — were reportedly sold off cheaply, sometimes just for ₹20–₹50, and used to buy liquor.
Police Action
Responding to the complaint, the Bengaluru police filed a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 303 (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the thief.
Wider Reaction
The theft has sparked public outrage and ridicule over how seriously people guard their shoes at religious places. Some have called for stricter temple entry checks or better security in the footwear area — especially in crowded shrines. Others have taken to social media, mocking the sheer audacity of the “prasad-lifting” sneaker thief.
Bottomline
What was supposed to be a peaceful prayer turned into a wild loss — and a reminder that even places of worship aren’t safe from petty crime. For the techie, it’s a costly reminder: when you leave your shoes at the door, make sure they don’t walk out the same way.