Seized idols are my legal possession: Ranvir Shah

Chennai: Under a dark cloud of suspicion and scrutiny by the police for his collection of priceless idols and other temple artefacts, millionaire businessman Ranvir Shah on Tuesday claimed he had all along cooperated in the investigation by the idol wing police led by IG Pon Manickavel and his in fact volunteered information about the various locations where he had kept his collection that were subsequently shown as ‘seized in raids’ by the sleuths.

Recalling the idol wing raid on his residence and the seizure of statues and objects on September 27, Shah said in a statement, “In the spirit of transparency, I informed the IG Mr. Pon Manickavel of my other properties wherein I had various other statues and objects in my possession”. And he explained the latest raids in Kancheepuram district saying that they were being made only on the information supplied voluntarily by him.

“I have been a great admirer of heritage, arts and culture since a young age which led me to collecting the said statues and objects, which form a part of my beloved collection. Some of the items in this collection have been passed down to me, out of natural love and affection, by my late father, Mr. Ranjit Shah, who was also a collector of art”, he said explaining his large collection of statues and objects.

Shah said he had intended to set up a private museum and art gallery “in order to share the admiration I have for these statues and objects with others” but gave up the idea after the raid in July 2016 when the police told him the “paper work of some statues and objects…lacked sufficient paperwork”. 

He said he had been under the impression that his father had conducted “due diligence” while making his purchases (idols). “However, the same had not been done by him as he was indisposed on health grounds”, Shah said and added that he had since made efforts to set records straight and was now confident of proving his innocence.

However, should the police prove before the court that some of the items were indeed stolen, he would be “more than willing to cooperate with and assist the Court to ensure that the items are duly returned to the rightful owners and temples”.