A 65-year-old Dutch national of Indian origin has been arrested in Bengaluru after sending a bizarre “ritual” package containing rotten tomatoes, decaying flower garlands, pieces of iron, a toothpaste cover, and nude photographs to the city’s international airport.
Subhash Hajij, who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, was detained by airport police on Tuesday. He is accused of couriering the parcel in January 2026 to the administrative office of Kempegowda International Airport, addressed to Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).
Airport authorities, puzzled by the unusual contents, lodged a complaint with the police on 4 March after several weeks of internal deliberation. Investigators used CCTV footage to trace Hajij, who had been seen frequently visiting various locations within the airport premises, including the post office from where the package was dispatched, between 6 and 22 January.
During questioning, Hajij told officers he had no malicious intent and had sent the package as part of a personal ritual intended to ward off tragedies or disasters at the airport. He claimed to have dispatched similar parcels to other airports across India.
A senior investigating officer said: “He claims he had no ill intention and sent the package to ensure that no tragic incidents occur at the airport. He also claims to have sent similar packages to other airports. We are verifying his claims.”
Hajij, who was reportedly born in a South American country and is fluent in multiple languages including Dutch, German, Spanish, English, and Hindi, has been living a somewhat itinerant life. He worked in Europe before retiring and has been travelling using his pension, with frequent visits to India. Police said that he has no known relatives in the country and noted instances of him sleeping near a temple in Bengaluru’s Madiwala area. Officers have expressed concerns about his mental health and have sought court permission for a medical examination.
He has been booked under the Karnataka Prevention and Eradication of Inhuman Evil Practices and Black Magic Act, 2017. Hajij is currently in judicial custody while further investigations continue. So far, authorities have found no evidence that he intended to cause harm or create mischief.
