Featured Image Credits: manhattanda.org
In a big win for India in its ongoing effort to get its stolen ancient relics and antiques back, the United States on Thursday (October 28) returned 248 antiques worth about $15 million, or ₹110 crore, to India.
One of the priceless statues is a 12th century bronze statue of Nataraj, “Lord of the Dance” the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer. These artifacts were tracked during five different criminal investigations in the last decade. The Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr. said in a statement that these statues are “cultural and cosmic bridges between ancient and modern India”.
“This extraordinary assemblage of artifacts, recovered from five different criminal investigations over the past decade, embodies the timeless cultural and cosmic bridge between ancient and modern-day India,” said District Attorney Vance. “Today’s event also serves as a potent reminder that individuals who maraud sacred temples in pursuit of individual profit are committing crimes not only against a country’s heritage but also its present and future. I am honored to return these 248 pieces to the people of India – our largest such transfer of antiquities to this proud nation. I thank my Office’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit and our partners at Homeland Security Investigations for their assiduous efforts that have resulted in more than 500 treasures being returned to 12 countries since August 2020. I look forward to further repatriations in the near future.”
As of now, 248 items were handed over to India at an event in the presence of Indian Consul General Randhir Jaiswal and US Homeland Security Investigation Deputy Special Agent in In Charge Eric Rosemblet.
Speaking on the occasion, Jaiswal thanked the Manhattan District Attorney for his cooperation and said, “We profusely thank the Manhattan D.A.’s Office for their support and cooperation in the return of antiquities to India and we look forward to our continued engagement to strengthen cultural ties between India and the United States.”
Out of these 248 items, 235 have been recovered from notorious stolen art dealer Subhash Kapoor and his associates who used to bring stolen items from India to Manhattan and sell them through Kapoor’s gallery at Madison Avenue.
Homeland Security New York Executive Special Agent in In Charge Ricky Patel said that these stolen artifacts are part of India’s extensive cultural heritage. “We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners around the world to combat these types of crimes”, he added.
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