Bengaluru: The Chikkajala police have arrested a 25-year-old priest for allegedly duping a businessman of over half-a-kg of gold valuable under the pretext of performing a puja for prosperity.

The police said the accused allegedly convinced the businessman to provide the gold to perform a puja that would make him wealthy in December last year. However, after taking the gold, the priest disappeared. After waiting for a few days, the businessman filed a compliant with Chikkajala police.

Based on the complaint, the police have arrested Chetan Sharma from Shravanabelagola and recovered valuables worth Rs 21 lakh from him.

The police have booked Chetan Sharma on the charge of theft and remanded him in judicial custody after producing him before the court.