As many as 89 statues worth Rs 100 crore was seized from the residence of businessman Ranvir Shah, the founder of Prakriti foundation, in Saidapet of Tamil Nadu, reports The News Minute.

The Idol wing of the economic offences unit of Tamil Nadu police had earlier raided the house of Ranvir Singh and found the idols in his possession, though he claimed that he had been granted “requisite permission” to possess the idol.

However, when it was later discovered that the philanthropist had illegally acquired the idols, the idol wing seized the property and shifted them to the Idol wing at Guindy.

Of the eighty-nine items seized, there are 22 pillars, 12 metal idols and artefacts and 56 stone sculptures. The idols will be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, and further actions will be taken based on the court’s orders, said Additional SP Ashok Natarajan. According to the SP, the sculptures are colossal, most aged over 100 years and are from temples in Tamil Nadu.

The idols, which had registration certificates, had no proof of the place of origin. Officials suspect that these idols were stolen from temples. Concerted efforts are being made to identify the temples which the idols belong to.

Earlier, the Idol wing had arrested Deenadayalan in an idol smuggling case back in 2016. It was he who gave them information about Ranvir Shah’s collection. However, some of the idols are believed to be collected from an antique dealer in Mattancherry (Kerala) and another in Puducherry.

No arrests have, however, been made in the case so far. Briefing the media, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Idol Wing CID, AG Pon Manickavel said, “Nobody is given permission to possess idols dating over 100 years old.

Prakriti Foundation

Get Swarajya in your inbox.