Mangaluru: Gold jewellery and cash worth Rs 4.8 lakh were allegedly stolen from a passenger’s trolley bag while travelling on a KSRTC bus from the city to Bengaluru, prompting a police investigation into the incident.
Theft discovered shortly after bus departure
The incident came to light on the evening of January 23, shortly after the Bengaluru-bound KSRTC bus departed at around 7.15 pm. According to the complaint, the trolley bag containing valuables had been placed in the bus cabin when the passengers boarded. However, within a short time after departure, the complainant’s husband noticed that the bag was missing.
An immediate search was carried out inside the bus. After the vehicle returned to the bus stand, the passengers and staff searched the premises and nearby areas, but the trolley bag could not be traced.
Temple visits earlier in the day
The complainant, Padmaja, stated that she and her relatives had been staying at a lodge and had planned a day-long visit to several temples before returning to their hometown. On the morning of January 23, Padmaja and her relative Leela hired an autorickshaw around 8 am and visited multiple temples, including Polali, Someshwara, Venkateshwara, Koragajja and Kadri Manjunatha.
During these visits, they were carrying gold jewellery in a vanity bag. The jewellery was kept with them throughout the temple tour, and no untoward incident was noticed during the day.
Jewellery shifted to trolley bag before travel
Later in the evening, as the family prepared to return home, the jewellery was transferred from the vanity bag into a trolley bag along with other belongings. After checking out of the lodge, they proceeded to Platform No. 5 of the KSRTC bus stand to board the Bengaluru-bound bus.
Once on board, the trolley bag was placed in the bus cabin, a common practice followed by many passengers travelling with luggage.
Details of stolen valuables
The stolen trolley bag reportedly contained Rs 20,000 in cash and gold ornaments weighing approximately 45 grams. The jewellery included two gold bangles weighing 18 grams, a gold chain weighing 18 grams, a gold necklace weighing 6 grams, and a gold ring weighing 3 grams.
In addition to cash and jewellery, the bag also contained personal items such as earphones, a mobile charger and two pen drives. The total value of the stolen cash, jewellery and other articles has been estimated at around Rs 4.8 lakh.
Delay in filing complaint
Padmaja informed the police that there was a delay in lodging the complaint as the family made repeated efforts to trace the missing bag on their own. Searches were conducted inside the bus, at the bus stand and in surrounding areas, but without success.
As the belongings could not be recovered despite extensive efforts, the family later approached the Barke police station and lodged a formal complaint.
Police begin investigation
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the alleged theft. Officers are examining possible scenarios, including whether the bag was stolen by an unidentified passenger or removed during boarding or shortly after departure.
Police are also expected to check CCTV footage from the KSRTC bus stand and question bus staff and passengers to gather further clues. Officials have advised travellers to remain vigilant and avoid keeping valuables in luggage stored in common areas during long-distance journeys.
Conclusion
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of passengers’ belongings on public transport, particularly during overnight and long-distance travel. Police have assured that all efforts will be made to trace the stolen trolley bag and bring those responsible to justice.