IG issues ultimatum to hoarders of idols in Tamil Nadu

“It is better for them to volunteer to hand over such artefacts than waiting for police to take action,” Manickavel told the media.

Earlier in the day, around 10.30 am, a team of Idol Wing police headed by the IG reached the 68-acre farm belonging to Shah at Maduranthagam. The team consisting of 30 members, including two Deputy Superintendents of Police and two Inspectors, was initially stopped by the manager and two guards at the farm but were allowed inside after the group produced a court document.

As the manager informed the team that they didn’t have the key to the building which was being used as a godown, cops had to break open the lock to enter. The team seized 89 artefacts, all stone carved items which could be antique. All the items were shifted to the Kumbakonam court. 

The team later headed to Padappai, another of Shah’s farms. There, sleuths seized another 43 stone carved antique artefacts. It may be recalled that the police had seized nearly 90 antique items including few Panchaloha idols from aShah’s residence in Saidapet last week. Shah had later claimed that he had purchased all the idols legally.

Modus operandi: Idol Wing investigators have been hinting at the possibility of involvement of businessmen, who after renovating old temples, replace old structures with new statues and take away the ‘discarded’ antique artefacts. These businessmen also donate lakhs of rupees to the renovation works. Sources said that businessmen like Ranvir Shah could have collected all these artefacts in a similar fashion.