KUMBAKONAM
International idol smuggler Subash Chandra Kapoor (60) and seven others, who have been charged with smuggling ancient bronze icons from Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple at Siddhamalli in Ariyalur district, were produced before the Judicial Magistrate Court here on Tuesday. The case was post to August 18 for further hearing.
More than 20 ancient priceless bronze icons were stolen from the temple on April 14, 2008. Some of them were smuggled to Australia and the United States, it was learnt later. The Idol Wing police had registered cases and were investigating the matter.
First, the police arrested Kapoor. Then they secured Baggya Kumar of Chennai, and later 10 others in connection with the case. The prosecution had enlisted 48 persons as witness in the case, while one of the arrested persons, Pitchumani, turned approver.
The case came up for hearing at the court when the police produced Kapoor from Tiruchi Central Prison, and Baggya Kumar from Puzhal Central Prison. While eight persons appeared in the court, three did not turn up.
