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

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.