Three held in Bengaluru for smuggling ancient idols worth Rs 32 crore

Bengaluru: Sleuths of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) have busted an international idol smuggling ring by arresting three people and recovering three idols belonging to the Chola period. The idols are estimated to be worth Rs 32 crore in the international market.

The arrested have been identified as Ravi Sharma (50) from Chandrapur in Maharashtra, Pundalik Yellappa Kalbant (28) and Sudhir Sham Shetty (38), who are from Belgaum.

The police had received a tipoff that the trio had come to the city to meet a potential foreign customer. A police team went near Dhanvantri Ayurvedic Hospital near Majestic, where the trio was to meet their customer. After talks, the trio was about to leave in their car when the police surrounded them and arrested them. The police found three panchaloha idols with them.

“The recovered idols belong to the Chola period. Panchaloha idols of two temple dancers and one dancing Shiva have been seized from them. It is estimated that these idols are worth Rs 32 crore in the international market. We are questioning the accused on how they managed to get the idols and with whom they are dealing,” Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Hemant Nimbalkar said. The Archaeological Survey of India will determine the exact age and history of the idols, he said.