A 23-year-old IT operator with a monthly salary of Rs 13,000 allegedly embezzled Rs 21 crore from a state-run sports complex in Maharashtra, funding a life of luxury that included high-end cars, a luxury 4 BHK apartment for his . girlfriend, and even diamond glasses.

Harshal Kumar Kshirsagar, a contractual employee of the sports complex in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, remains at large. The authorities have arrested his partner for allegedly helping him in the elaborate scheme.

Harshal allegedly used outdated letterhead from the sports complex to request a critical change with the bank: he modified the email address linked to the organization’s account, replacing a single letter. This new email gave him full access to the bank’s one-time account passwords and notifications.

With the internet banking facility activated, Harshal executed his scheme between July and December, transferring Rs 21.6 crore to 13 separate bank accounts. The money trail led investigators to a series of extravagant purchases including a Rs 1.2 crore BMW, a Rs 1.3 crore SUV and a BMW bike worth Rs 32 crore. He also bought a luxury apartment near the airport and ordered diamond-studded glasses for his girlfriend, police said.

The fraud was undone when a sports department official spotted discrepancies and filed a complaint. “Two accused have been arrested and one is absconding. Investigation has revealed luxury vehicles, a high-end apartment and gold ornaments linked to the diverted money,” a senior police official said in an NDTV report .

Authorities are now working to trace Harshal’s whereabouts as they review documents linked to the accounts used. The seized luxury vehicles and ongoing searches highlight the scope of the operation.

Police suspect the possibility of more people being complicit in the robbery, which has sent shockwaves through the state’s sports administration.