Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Nov 16: What began as a routine temple visit turned into an unexpected loss for a Bengaluru-based software engineer after his branded shoes worth Rs 16,000 were stolen from outside the Shri Ganesha Temple at Banashankari III Stage.

The incident occurred on November 6 between 7.20 pm and 7.25 pm when the Girinagar resident visited the temple wearing his six-month-old Asics shoes. As per custom, he left his footwear at the entrance where several devotees had placed theirs. However, when he stepped out after offering prayers for barely five minutes, his expensive shoes had vanished.

When the techie approached the police, officers were initially hesitant to register an FIR for a footwear theft. However, the complainant insisted, saying that such thefts were common outside temples and needed attention.

Speaking, he said, “I learned that it’s a regular problem here. Even the priest has lost his slippers twice. Many devotees told me they’ve faced similar thefts, but no one filed a complaint. I didn’t want to ignore it.”

Temple CCTV footage captured the thief on camera — a man walking in barefoot like any other devotee, who then slipped away wearing the techie’s branded shoes.

Police sources said that in past incidents, arrested petty thieves had confessed to selling stolen footwear for as little as Rs 20 to Rs 50 to buy alcohol.

“If small thefts are ignored, the same person may commit bigger crimes. They need to be stopped and reformed,” the complainant said.

A senior police officer confirmed that a case has now been registered under BNS Section 303 (theft), and CCTV footage has been secured. Efforts are underway to track down the culprit.