‘Puja’ scam: Astrologer on run after allegedly duping woman of 329g gold

The case was registered on September 7 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deals with cheating and dishonestly induces a person to hand over property or valuable security.

Updated - September 16, 2026 06:38 pm IST - Bengaluru

Over nearly a year, the accused allegedly collected gold ornaments from the victim in instalments, including chains weighing about 25, 26 and 30 gm and four bangles weighing 60 gm. | Image for representation | Photo Credit: hidesy

The Byatarayanapura police are on the lookout for an astrologer who allegedly duped a homemaker from Girinagar of 329 gm of gold jewellery worth around ₹40 lakh, by convincing her that the ornaments were required for religious rituals to resolve problems faced by her children.

The case was registered on September 7 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deals with cheating and dishonestly induces a person to hand over property or valuable security. The accused has been identified as Venkatesh.

According to the complaint, the woman had met Venkatesh, who introduced himself as an astrologer, near Victoria Hospital several years ago. She later contacted him after obtaining his phone number through an auto driver.

The woman told the police that she sought his help to make her son quit excessive alcohol consumption and smoking and to find a suitable marriage alliance for her daughter. Venkatesh allegedly told her that performing puja to Goddess Chowdeshwari would resolve the problems.

She initially handed over a 50-gm gold chain to him for the purported ritual. Venkatesh allegedly retained the jewellery and subsequently continued visiting her house, claiming that more ornaments were required for puja on new moon and full moon days.

Over nearly a year, he allegedly collected gold ornaments from her in instalments, including chains weighing about 25, 26 and 30 gm, four bangles weighing 60 gm, eight earrings weighing 24 gm, four ear ornaments weighing 40 gm, two rings weighing 15 grams, two ear studs weighing five gm, a 30-gm bracelet and a 25-gm Lakshmi pendant.

The complainant said she became suspicious when she asked Venkatesh to return the ornaments on August 19 for a Varalakshmi puja.

Later that night, at around 11.29 p.m., Venkatesh allegedly sent her a video showing him purportedly injured in an accident. Another person allegedly called her from his phone and claimed that Venkatesh had suffered a serious head injury and was unlikely to survive.

Alarmed, the woman showed the video to her daughter, who suspected it was fake and intended to deceive her. When they tried contacting Venkatesh, his phone was found switched off.

The woman subsequently approached the police, alleging that Venkatesh had cheated her by collecting the jewellery in the name of performing religious rituals and failed to return it.

Published - September 16, 2026 06:28 pm IST

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