ASI officials pore over idol smuggler's treasure trove

Chennai: A team of experts from Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), roped in to determine the antiquity of ancient idols among other artefacts stolen from various temples in the State and neighbouring Karnataka, began their work on Monday.

The 8-member team from New Delhi carried out their inspection of the idols, which are yet to be moved out of the idol smuggler Deenadayalan’s house in Alwarpet.

The inspection likely to go on for a couple of days more and the team will also look at a few idols that have already been produced before the courts and then moved for safe keeping to the Icon Centre in Tiruvottiyur.

A set of about 50 wood sculptures are among the treasures seized. They were reportedly stolen from ancient temple cars across the State. In addition, as many as 38 panchaloha idols and over 50 stone idols along with other temple structures, including ornamental relief panels and vessels are among the captured ‘loot,’ are the focus of the Idol Wing CID’s probe in progress since Friday night following the surrender of the smuggler.

Sources said the suspect is being interrogated to elicit the provenance of idols and artefacts he has sold as well as those in his possession. “We have not got anything concrete yet from Deenadayalan. It appears he had emptied various temples in Nagapattinam, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Mayiladurtharai to amass this amount of artefacts in a short span of time”, said an official who is privy to the investigation.

A group of people from various social organisations along with Villupuram police met the Idol Wing officials and shared information relating to an idol theft reported in a temple during March 2015. Since there were panchaloha idols recovered, the devotees believed that some of the idols might be from Soleeswarar temple in Villupuram. Earlier, representatives from a mutt met the Idol Wing officials with regard to the Tanjore paintings missing from their mutt.