Srikanth Omkaram (42), an accused in a case of illegal export of antique idols, committed suicide by hanging at his residence in Valasaravakkam on Wednesday.
He is the grandson of Deenadayalan, the alleged mastermind behind the smuggling of idols. In October last year, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Srikanth and T.M. Balaji, a city-based dentist, for the illegal export of antique objects.
Artefacts, statues, idols, wood carvings and paintings, among others, were seized from the houses of Balaji and Srikanth.
The two were arrested on charges of illegally concealing artefacts and statues in their residences and exporting them.
Stone statues of the Buddha, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Nandi, stone pillar carvings, and documents were recovered from them.
During interrogation, the duo confessed to smuggling the items to foreign countries using fake ASI certificates.
They said Udit Jain of New Delhi had helped them produce the fake documents under the direction of Deenadayalan.
The police have recovered a suicide note from his residence.
Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline can be reached at 044 24640050/ 60. and the State helpline at 104 .
