Chennai: In a major haul, the idol wing seized 57 stone idols besides lintels, relief panels, and poles stolen from various temples in the state and neighbouring Karnataka, on Tuesday.
Deenadhayalan, (85), a former art-dealer turned smuggler, went underground moments before the cops turned up at his palatial bungalow on Murrays Gate Road, Alwarpet, here. He is said to be an aide of idol smuggler Subash Kapoor, an Indian origin US citizen, now cooling his heels in Puzhal prison.
Deenadhayalan also played an active role in smuggling Ardhanarishwarar stone idol from Virudhagereeswarar temple, and it was sold by Subash for three million dollars to Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australia in 2004.
The total seizure was estimated to be worth Rs 10 crore. Supervised by IG Ponn. Manickavel, DSP P.A. Sundaram carried out a raid where the artifacts were getting ready for transit to a specific address in Mumbai, to be shipped out of the country.
Some idols seized weigh about one tonne due to which the police could move only a few idols for being produced before the court, along with the arrested trio, all aides of Deenadhayalan.
A team of ASI experts who accompanied the police confirmed that the seized idols were around 10 centuries old. A detailed inspection is likely to be launched.
The idols and the structures, including ornamental relief panels, are believed to have been stolen from various temples in Nagapattinam, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Mayiladurtharai.
Two particular idols were established to have been smuggled from Karnataka. They belonged to the period of Hoysala dynasty.
