Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 22: A woman was arrested by Commercial Street police for allegedly cheating a jewellery shop and stealing nearly 3 kilos of gold.

Shwetha Gowda (26), from Bagalagunte, is in police custody, with gold, a car, and other valuables seized from her. Authorities have also served a notice to former minister Varthur Prakash to attend an inquiry. Prakash confirmed he will report to the police station on Monday.

Gowda, who posed as a close aide of Varthur Prakash, repeatedly visited Navaratna Jewellers, owned by Sanjay Bafa, claiming she was starting a gold outlet and would purchase gold from him.

Over several visits between October 26 and December 8, she convinced Bafa to deliver 2.945 kg of gold worth Rs 2.42 crore, claiming she needed to show it to her family. However, Gowda never made any purchases. When Bafa demanded the return of the gold or payment, she allegedly threatened him.

The police traced Gowda to Mysuru and arrested her. She had previously been arrested by Yelahanka police in a similar case of cheating a jeweller using the same tactic.

Responding to the case, Varthur Prakash said, “Shwetha introduced herself as a social worker three months ago, but I haven’t had any contact with her since. I was unaware of her dealings with the jeweller and learned about it only from the police. I will attend the inquiry on Monday.”