Six arrested as antique idols seized in Hyderabad

Police on Saturday recovered an antique idol dating back to 16{+t}{+h}-17th century and have arrested six persons in this connection.

Besides the antique Ardhanareshwara idol, two panchaloha idols too have been recovered from them.

The arrested have been identified as S A Francis Augustine, Ch Venkatesh, T Shankar Reddy, G Vishwanath Reddy, B P Rathan Raj and C Shameer.

Acting on a tip off, sleuths of Commissioners Task Force, (South Zone Team), arrested Francis, a resident of Jagatgirigutta along with others from near Dabeerpura railway station, when they were in search of prospective customer to sell the idols procured one year ago, police said.

During interrogation, Francis reportedly confessed that he posed as a saint (Baba) having supernatural powers and along with five others cheated people by collecting money from them stating they could find treasure in their fields through the panchaloha idols, police said.

The antique Ardhanareshwara idol belongs to post- Vijayanagara Dynasty and could fetch Rs 10 lakh in the international market, police said adding the two panchaloha idols are of Lord Krishna and Goddess Laxmi.

Further investigations are on.