An idol suspected to have been stolen from a temple was seized from a three-member gang apprehended by the Idol Wing CID police here on Monday. According to Inspector General of Police (Economic Offences Wing) S. Rajendran, a special team formed to investigate complaints of idol thefts across the State intercepted three persons moving in a suspicious manner at Koyambedu.
P. Ganesan (34), T. Andavar alias Anandan (28) and G. Muthukumar (34) of Thanjavur district were found to be in possession of a two-foot tall panchaloha idol of Lord Sundara Perumal Nayanar. They had come to Chennai to sell it through agents.
“We have sent teams to the southern districts to apprehend the prime suspect. The idol is worth about Rs.10 lakh. The Idol Wing CID police have recovered 31 idols reported stolen since January 2008 and arrested 92 persons involved in the thefts,” Mr. Rajendran said.
