He stole Rs 1.5 crore, then donated to God; All about Bengaluru’s most bizarre theft
While thefts are a common occurrence across India, few capture the public's imagination — but a recent case in Bengaluru has done just that, thanks to its unusual twist involving religion. In a strange blend of crime and conscience, a man accused of stealing a large sum of money reportedly gave part of it to a temple, possibly as an act of repentance. The most curious part? That donation, amounting to nearly ₹1 lakh, can’t legally be reclaimed — even though it was made with stolen funds.
The case began on May 5 when a chartered accountant from Kodandaramapura, Bengaluru, handed a bag containing ₹1.51 crore to his longtime driver, Rajesh BN. The plan was simple: Rajesh was to place the money in the car for a bank deposit. But when the accountant came downstairs, both his vehicle and the driver had vanished.
Suspecting something was wrong, he rushed to his office, where he found the car parked — but Rajesh was nowhere in sight. When contacted, the driver claimed he was buying medicine and would return shortly. He never did.
Police launched an investigation after the accountant filed a complaint. Rajesh resurfaced on May 9, confessed to the theft, and was taken into custody.
Further inquiries revealed that Rajesh had spent around ₹1 lakh on his family’s needs and donated a significant amount to a temple’s donation box. According to South Indian temple traditions, offerings placed in the hundi — a sealed box used for religious donations — are considered sacred gifts to the deity and are not subject to refund. The funds typically go toward temple upkeep and charitable works, and once deposited, they cannot be retrieved.
So, in a bizarre turn of events, part of the stolen money now lies with the divine — out of reach even for the police.
