Mangaluru: An elderly woman from Bengaluru was allegedly drugged and robbed of gold ornaments weighing 112 grams and cash near the Dharmasthala temple bus stand on May 25, according to a complaint filed at the Dharmasthala police station.
Incident Details
The 70-year-old woman, a resident of Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru, had visited the temple for darshan in the afternoon. Later, she came to the bus stand in front of the temple’s main entrance at night to return home. While she was waiting at the bus stand, an unidentified man who was seated nearby allegedly started speaking to her and offered her prasad and juice. The complainant reportedly consumed a small quantity of juice and returned the rest.
Theft and Aftermath
After some time, she began feeling unwell. Taking advantage of her condition, the accused allegedly stole gold ornaments weighing 112 grams and cash amounting to Rs 7,000 from her possession before fleeing from the spot, she alleged. The total value of the stolen property, including cash, is estimated at around Rs 10,00,700.
The woman, who had fallen unconscious, was later admitted to a hospital by unidentified persons. Dharmasthala police have registered a case under Section 307 (theft) BNS and an investigation is ongoing.
Police Investigation
Authorities are examining CCTV footage from the area and questioning witnesses to identify the suspect. The victim is currently recovering in the hospital and is expected to provide further details to the police. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of pilgrims visiting the temple, especially elderly individuals traveling alone.
