'Ashtadhatu' idols estimated at Rs 4 crore seized, 2 arrested

Lucknow, July 9 (UNI) Lucknow Police busted an international gang of idol and animal skin smugglers with the arrest of two persons and seizure of two 'ashtadhatu' idols estimated at four crore rupees in the international market.

Besides, skin of two wild cats were also seized, which were estimated over Rs 25 lakh, Additional Police Superintendent (Trans Gomti) Ajay Kumar Singh told a news conference here this evening.

The accused were identified as Rajkumar Chaudhary and Krishna Kumar Mishra of Siddharthnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

The idols of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi weighed 2.5 kgs and 1.5 kgs respectively.

Mr Singh said the duo were held late last night in Gudamba area in possession of the idols and animal skins.

Acting on information that the gang was involved in selling such items in Lucknow after smuggling them from Nepal, police laid a trap with the help of a decoy customer and fixed a deal with the smugglers.

The unsuspecting accused were arrested, when they alighted a public transport vehicle to deliver the consignment.

The arrested duo confessed to their involvement in the crime and said they were paid Rs 10,000 per trip from Siddharthnagar to Lucknow.

Meanwhile, the kingpin identified as Jagga living in Telihawa, Nepal and his Indian contact Dewa of Siddharthnagar were yet to be arrested.

Investigations continued.

UNI VS KN SRS RK1828