Bengaluru police sub-inspector suspended for cheating jeweller

A police sub-inspector in Bengaluru has been suspended after he allegedly cheated a local jeweller out of 950 grams of gold. The officer, Santosh PG, asked the jeweller, Dhananjay, to lend him the gold in 2020, claiming it was for a police case and that he would return it the same day. However, he did not return the gold for five years. Dhananjay reported the incident to Deputy Commissioner of Police S Girish after many attempts to get his gold back. An investigation led by ACP Chandan Kumar confirmed the allegations against Santosh appeared to be true. As a result, Santosh was suspended on March 20. An FIR has been filed against him under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating and criminal breach of trust. The situation started when Santosh, who frequented Dhananjay's jewellery shop, requested the gold by saying that senior officers would come to inspect the station. Dhananjay complied, but as time passed, Santosh made excuses for not returning the gold. Later, he promised to pay Dhananjay cash but failed to do so. In 2021, Santosh provided a sale deed for his wife’s property as security but then sold the property to someone else. Dhananjay received a bounced cheque for the gold, which further complicated the matter. When asked for a comment, Santosh denied owing anything and threatened Dhananjay with false charges. This is not Santosh's first issue; he was previously suspended in 2021 for allegedly stealing 266 grams of gold during a police raid.