6 Ancient Idols Worth Rs 22 Cr Seized in Tamil Nadu, 3 Arrested

Chennai: Six antique idols worth Rs 22 crore were seized by Tamil Nadu’s Idol Wing CID. Three persons were arrested in connection to the seizure.

The arrested persons claimed that they found the idols while digging land for the construction of a house.

A special Idol Wing CID team from Trichy intercepted a car at Periyar Samathuvapuram Bus Stop in Thanjavur on Saturday (July 6) and recovered the ancient idols.

The antique metal idols were of Tripuranthakar, Veenathara Dakshinamoorty, Rishabadevar, and three idols of goddesses.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Rajesh Kannan, as well as the two passengers, Laxmanan and Thirumurugan, were arrested.

Laxmanan claimed that he found the idols five years back while digging at his house in Korukkai village, Mayiladuthurai district.

But Laxmanan did not inform government officials about the discovery and instead hid he idols at his home. Laxmanan with the help of Rajesh Kannan allegedly tried to sell them to international buyers.

The suspects failed to provide ownership details, leading to the seizure of the idols. A case was registered on Sunday (July 7) against the three culprits.

Further investigations are underway to identify the temple or rightful ownership of the idols and to uncover the international racket of idol smuggling.