Davangere: MLA Basavantappa returns Rs 1.2 lakh left behind at shop

Davangere: In a display of honesty and compassion, Mayakonda MLA KS Basavantappa returned Rs 1.20 lakh to Venkatesh, a grocery store owner from Ranebennur in Haveri district, who had mistakenly left the money at a juice shop.

Venkatesh had brought the cash to pay his son’s college fees at College near Shiramgondanahalli in Davangere.

On Monday evening around 7:30 p.m., Venkatesh stopped at the Ram & Co. juice center to buy a drink, leaving the bag with the money on the table. Forgetting it there, he headed to the college, only to later realize that the bag wasn’t in his car.

During this time, MLA K.S. Basavantappa, who happened to be at the juice center, noticed the bag on the table. Upon opening it, he found Rs 1.20 lakh in cash. He informed the juice shop owner, stating that he would keep the bag safe until its owner returned, and waited at a nearby coffee shop.

Venkatesh, after realizing his mistake, called the juice shop, where he was informed about the found bag. He promptly went to the shop, where Basavantappa asked him to confirm the amount. Initially, Venkatesh mistakenly stated Rs 1.30 lakh, but upon clarifying, confirmed it was indeed Rs 1.20 lakh meant for his son’s college fees.

MLA Basavantappa handed over the money after cautioning Venkatesh.