The Idol Wing CID is waiting for the officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to inspect the hundreds of antique items, including idols, seized from alleged smuggler Lakshminarayanan’s bungalow in Kuchikaadu located near Karanai in ECR. The Idol Wing CID had recovered, in the past two weeks, temple lamps, antique articles, vahanams , and metal and stone idols from the bungalow-cum-gallery of accused Lakshminarayanan, who is an accomplice of idol smuggler Deenadayalan. Both Deenadayalan and Lakshminarayanan are in judicial custody.
Since May 30, the Idol Wing CID has recovered hundreds of idols, a large number of paintings and other antique items stolen from temples. Till now, the police officials have seized 91 metal idols, 406 stone idols, 211 paintings and 47 vahanams, which are worth several crores. They were seized from Deenadayalan’s house, godown and gallery, all located in Alwarpet and the bungalow-cum-gallery of Lakshminarayanan.
A special team of ASI officials had already completed the inspection of the seized articles in Deenadayalan’s premises and gallery. The ASI officials would be giving a report about the antiquity of the seized items.
