Chennai: The HR & CE department has informed the Madras high court that about 1,204 stone idols and icons were stolen from temples during the last 25 years.
R.Jaya, Commissioner of HR & CE stated this in her additional report filed before Justice R.Mahadevan.
The judge adjourned to January 29, further hearing of the petitions from R.Venkataraman and advocate Elephant G.Rajendran, which sought to transfer the investigation in all the pending idol theft cases to the CBCID.
In her report, Jaya submitted that the department was extremely concerned about the thefts of icons/idols and valuables in temples. From the period 1992 to 2017 about 1,204 items (both stone idols and icons) stolen, 56 have been traced and in only 18 cases possession was restored to the temples. Complaints regarding 385 icons/idols have been closed with the item being declared as not traceable, she added.
She said over the years with the objective of safe keeping, safe guarding and security of idols/icons and valuables of temples and prevention of theft of those articles, many steps have been undertaken.
The department was always ready to render necessary assistance/co-operation to the Idol Wing.
