Koyambedu SSI arrested in idol case

The incident happened in 2008 when farmer Gnana Anbu, from Tiruchuli in Virudhunagar district, while ploughing his land had discovered three metal idols.  Shiva, Parvathi and Amman idols were unearthed, but Gnana Anbu had not informed about the antiques either to police  or the revenue officials and kept them in his house. 

However, based on a tip-off, Subburaj, who was then working as Head Constable in the Idol Wing, and Inspector Kadhar Basha inspected Anbu’s house and had seized the idols. After seizing the idols Subburaj had not informed his higher officials and had hid them in his house. 

The information however reached the officials of Idol Wing, who initiated an inquiry against Subburaj and Basha for hoarding the idols and the interrogation went on for around eight years. 

Meanwhile Subburaj was transferred to Chennai and so the pace of investigation was hampered. In the meantime, the High Court had directed A G Pon Manickavel, IG, Idol Wing, to appear on Wednesday to explain the slow progress of investigation into the idol hoarding case. 

Meanwhile, Subburaj was summoned to appear at the office of EOW at Madurai, on Tuesday. During the interrogation Subburaj confessed to have hoarded the idols in his house. Following his confession, he was arrested and was produced at the JM Court at Sivakasi. 

Later, He was lodged in Virudhunagar prison. Sources said that Subburaj and Kadhar Basha sold the idols to infamous idol dealer Deenadayalan, who transported the idols to Honk Kong and Malayasia. The idols are estimated to be worth Rs 9 crore in the international market.