Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 14: A 45-year-old driver who had been working for a chartered accountant in Bengaluru for over a decade was arrested by police on Tuesday for allegedly absconding with Rs 1.51 crore that had been entrusted to him for bank deposit.

The arrested accused, Rajesh B N, a resident of Vyalikaval in the city, had long served as a trusted employee. According to the police, the incident unfolded on May 5, when the employer handed Rajesh a bag containing Rs 1.51 crore and instructed him to keep it safely in the car, as the amount was meant to be deposited in a bank shortly thereafter.

However, when the chartered accountant returned soon after to leave for the bank, he found both Rajesh and the car missing. Alarmed, he rushed to his office, where the car was located, but Rajesh was nowhere in sight.

When the employer called his driver, Rajesh allegedly said he had gone to buy medicine and would return shortly. But he failed to reappear and soon became inaccessible by phone.

The police confirmed that Rajesh voluntarily appeared before them on May 9, four days after the incident, and confessed to fleeing with the cash.

During questioning, Rajesh revealed that he had spent approximately Rs 1 lac on and had donated a substantial sum to a temple. Police officials stated that the donated amount was not recoverable.

The case has stirred concern over lapses in handling high-value transactions and the vulnerabilities in employer-employee trust, even in long-standing professional relationships.

Further investigations are underway.