Idols stolen from Madurai temple abandoned in Dindigul

Police said that the idols were recovered after Ganesan, a passer-by, who spotted them on the roadside at Kalyanipatti and alerted the cops.

Talking to reporters, Inspector General of Police (South Zone) KP Shanmuga Rajeswaran said those who stole the idol could have abandoned it after realising that extracting gold from the antiques would be an expensive process. Further, due to fear of arrest and police action could also be reason for dumping the idols on the roadside.

Commending Ganesan for alerting the police in time, Shanmuga Rajeswaran said that the person would be suitably rewarded.

The recovered idols would be produced in a court and then they would be returned to the Kuruvithurai temple, the IG South added.

Though the idols have been recovered, the persons involved in the theft were yet to be arrested.

Expressing confidence that the accused in the case would be nabbed soon, Shanmuga Rajeswaran said that 10 special teams have been formed to probe the case.

AG Pon Manickavel, Inspector General of Police, Idol Wing, said that each panchaloha idol could be worth around Rs 1 crore. Manickavel said that he would inform the Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) about the recovery of idols and recommend a reward of Rs 1 lakh to Ganesan.