Techie among two arrested for trying to sell antique idols

The Jigani police on Wednesday arrested a 49-year-old software consultant and his associate – a realtor – for allegedly trying to trade antique ivory idols .

Based on a tip-off from a member of CARE, a city based NGO, the police caught the accused, identified as Narendra Kumar Sharma and his associate Shabbir Ahmed, charging them under various sections of Wildlife Protection Act.

Probe revealed that Sharma approached a couple – senior citizens from Gujarat, and convinced them to sell the antique idols they had for a good price. The couple claimed that the idols are part of their ancestral property, but agreed and handed over the antique idols to Sharma, who along with Shabbir started looking for prospective clients to sell the idols hoping to get a commission.

The police have remanded the duo to judicial custody and further investigations are on.