In what is considered to be one of the major busts, the residence of businessman Ranvir Shah, founder of Prakriti Foundation, was raided in Saidapet by the Idol Wing, where 89 statues worth over Rs 100 crore were seized. The Idol Wing is part of the Economic Offences Wing of the Tamil Nadu police.
The Idol Wing had earlier raided Ranvir’s house and found idols in his possession. However, at the time, the philanthropist said he had the requisite permission to keep them. It has now been discovered that they were illegal and that he doesn’t have any permission.
The idols will now be moved to the Idol Wing office in Guindy.
According to the SP, the sculptures are huge, over 100 years old and mostly from the temples in Tamil Nadu.
“Although we were shown registration certificates, there is no proof as to where these idols came from. It must have been stolen from some temple. We will find the temples from where they were stolen,” he said.
The Idol Wing received a tip-off from Deenadayalan. Following Deenadayalan’s arrest in the idol smuggling case in 2016, the Idol Wing had conducted an enquiry on Ranvir’s involvement in the case and about the possession of idols at his house.
However, at the time, the philanthropist said he had the requisite permission to keep them. Now, it has been discovered that they were illegal and that he doesn’t have any permission.
So far, no arrests have been made in the case. When asked where the seized items would be kept, the SP said, “There is no place to keep it in a museum. So we don’t know where to keep it.”
Speaking to media persons, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Idol Wing CID, AG Pon Manickavel said, “Nobody in Tamil Nadu has been given licence to sell antique idols dating over 100 years. But this is happening and we are taking action. Even pillars have been stolen.”
(Published in an arrangement with The News Minute)
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