The judicial custody of Subhash Chandra Kapoor, international antique dealer and accused in two idol theft cases in Ariyalur district in 2008, was extended till Wednesday.
Mr. Kapoor was produced before the Judicial Magistrate in Ariyalur on Monday and his custody in prison was extended by two more days.
Judicial Magistrate R. Rajkumar said an application moved by the police seeking 10 days’ custody for questioning Mr. Kapoor and his reply opposing grant of police custody would be heard on Wednesday. Besides, Mr. Kingston Jerold, counsel for Mr. Kapoor, told the media that two more applications, seeking bail for Mr. Kapoor and admitting him to government hospital, would also be taken up on the same day.
The two cases relate to theft of idols from Brahadeeswara Temple, Sripurandan, 35 km from Ariyalur, in Vikramangalam police limits on March 21, 2008 and the other case relates to the theft of another set of idols, including three panchaloha ones, from Varadarajaperumal Temple, Suthamalli, 22 km from Ariyalur in Udayarpalayam police limits. In the first case, 12 persons were cited as accused and in the second seven. In both cases, Kapoor is cited as the last accused. All other accused in the both cases have already been enlarged on bail.
Mr. Jerold also termed illegal the detention of Mr. Kapoor in the case of theft of idols from the Varadarajaperumal Temple as he has been extradited in connection with the other case. The Magistrate has said he would consider it, he claimed.
