Priest arrested for stealing 44 gm gold necklace after performing puja at house

BENGALURU: A priest at the Muneshwaraswamy temple in Agrahara Dasarahalli was arrested for allegedly stealing a 44-gram gold necklace worth Rs 4 lakh during a puja ceremony at a house. The house owner, Ashok Chandaragi, lodged a complaint against the priest, Ramesh Shastri, at the Magadi Road police station.

As per the complaint, Shastri, had said he would perform Varamahalakshmi puja and Satyanarayana puja and informed the house owner that he would stay over at their house for a day to continue the puja. The couple had made arrangements for the priest’s stay. The Lord Satyanarayana portrait was adorned with gold ornaments.

After completing the Varamahalakshmi and Satyanarayana pujas, Ramesh Shastri left the house in the evening. When the couple later checked the gold ornaments, the necklace weighing 44 grams and worth Rs 4 lakh was found missing. When the priest was questioned about it, he claimed to know nothing. The priest later admitted to stealing the necklace during questioning by the police.