Chennai: The sleuths from the Idol Wing probing the activities of artefacts dealer Dheenadayalan (84), may further expand their investigation into neighbouring Karnataka.
Sources indicated that the decision to search all premises belonging to him was taken after fresh searches conducted by the idol wing cops in his two godowns since Saturday resulted in the seizure of more idols and paintings.
During the course of daily interrogation sessions he undergoing for the last one week the octogenarian art dealer had revealed more locations where he had hidden his treasure of antiques. “So far we have searched three premises belonging to him in Alwarpet itself. He has properties in Adyar and Bengaluru. We may have to conduct searches there as well,” sources said.
Police had arrested his associates first on May 31 and he surrendered on June 4. Since then Deenadayalan has been asked to present himself before the sleuths on a daily basis for interrogation.
Police had said that Dheenadayalan had links with international smuggler Subash Kapoor, who was running an antique shop in Manhattan, New York. He was extradited in 2012 and is now lodged in Puzhal prison.
Dheenadayalan has been in the antiques business since 1965. The idols, painting and sculptures seized from him are estimated to be worth nearly Rs 100 crore.
