CHENNAI: The Idol Wing CID police have sought the assistance of the Central Bureau of Investigation to retrieve idols stolen from temples in the State and sold to art galleries in the United States.
"We have written to the CBI to initiate steps through the Interpol to get back the 12 idols of Natrajar stolen from temples in the State by a gang that sold them to art galleries in New York through agents," Inspector General of Police (Economic Offences Wing) S. Rajendran said on Tuesday.
Stating that 82 metal idols worth about Rs. 10.2 crore were recovered by the wing since 2007, he said the arrest of Sanjeevi Asokan of Kerala and his associates had revealed the international link. The suspect along with two of his accomplices was detained under the Goondas Act, he said.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Idol Wing) R. Arumugam said the value of each antique idol was estimated at Rs. 1 crore. The panchaloka idols of the Chola regime were stolen from temples in Ariyalur, Thanjavur and Pudukottai districts.
"After the international link of the idol thieves came to light, Airport and Customs authorities consult the Idol Wing CID and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials before clearing export consignments of idols," he said.
Mr. Arumugam said Temple Protection Force was strengthened across the State. Seven more Icon Centres, where idols of smaller temples can be kept in safe custody, would come up soon at seven places including Coimbatore and Srivilliputtur.
A special team of the Idol Wing police apprehended three persons who were in possession of nine panchaloka idols worth about Rs. 1 crore.
Following a tip-off, the team intercepted a car in front of the central railway station on Monday and nabbed the accused B. Shyam (29) of Mysore, R. Murugesan (34) and R. Sugumaran (40) of Namakkal district.
The accused tried to escape on seeing the police.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the trio was part of an inter-State gang involved in theft of idols from temples in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
A car used to smuggle the idols was also seized, police sources added.