During a vehicle check, police stopped a bike and discovered three panchaloha idols, resulting in the arrest of three individuals. Acting on a tip-off, TP Chatram police intercepted the bike near Madina Mosque on September 24. The rider gave inconsistent responses when questioned and was unable to provide the registration certificate, driving license, or other necessary documents. Growing suspicious, the officers found three panchaloha idols in his possession. The rider was identified as Irhad Mohammed from Parthipattu village. The idols, depicting Lord Murugan and his consorts Valli and Deivanai, were reported stolen from various temples across the state. The statues are believed to be around 150 years old, and police have sent pictures to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for verification.
Based on Irshad’s information, police arrested two more suspects: Akash Ebenezer, a history-sheeter from TP Chatram, and L Rajs from KK Nagar. The trio was planning to sell the idols, claiming they were valuable antiquities.
In related news, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, the U.S. government facilitated the return of 297 antiquities stolen or trafficked from India. These items will soon be repatriated. In a symbolic ceremony, a select few artefacts were displayed to Prime Minister Modi and President Biden during their bilateral meeting in Wilmington, Delaware. Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Biden, emphasizing that these artefacts represent not only India’s material history but also its civilizational and cultural essence.
(With inputs from ToI and Organiser)
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