Two idols seized near Thanjavur, four held

The officers of the Idol Wing CID of Tamil Nadu Police arrested four persons and seized two idols believed to be from the Vijayanagara period during a vehicle check near Thanjavur recently.

Acting on specific information, a special team of Idol Wing CID, Thanjavur Range, conducted a surprise vehicle check on the Thanjavur – Chennai National Highway near Valayapettai on February 6 at around 10.30 pm. During the check, the team noticed a car parked by the roadside. On inspection, police found two metal idols wrapped in gunny bags inside the vehicle. The driver and another occupant were questioned but they failed to produce any valid documents to establish ownership of the idols.

Preliminary examination suggested that the idols were artistically significant and stylistically linked to Tamil Nadu temples. Police suspect that the idols were stolen from a temple in the State and were being smuggled abroad for sale.

A Vishnu metal idol weighing 77.300 kg and a Goddess Devi idol weighing 35.450 kg, were seized. Based on a complaint lodged by Sub-Inspector K. Dhandayudhapani, a case was registered at the Idol Wing CID Police Station on February 7.

Idol Wing CID took up the investigation further and arrested two accused- K. Ramachandran and C. Manikandan. During interrogation, their confession revealed the involvement of two more persons, V. Mugilan and S. Johnson, who were subsequently arrested.

All four accused were produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Kumbakonam, and remanded in judicial custody. Officials said the seized idols appear to be rare specimens dating back to the 14th–15th century Vijayanagara period. Efforts are under way to trace the origin of the idols and apprehend other suspects involved in the smuggling network. Further investigation is in progress.