Panchaloha idols seized, five held

Vijayawada, July 23 (UNI) The Police today arrested five people and seized 1300-year-old Panchaloha idols from them.

Talking to newspersons here tonight, West Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) S M Vali said the idols were stolen by some unidentified miscreants from Janardhanaswamy temple at Pandakondoru village in Guntur district in August 2001.

He said police had registered a case.

The main accused R Malleswara Rao, working as a watchman in the shed belonging to another accused V Jagan Mohan Rao committed the crime. He hid the idols under the ground.

Later, they removed the idols and took photographs of the idols for selling them. They melted one of the idols, he said.

The police official said the three idols were brought to the city 20 days back and with the help of three other accused and they planned to dispose them this morning.

Based on the information, they were nabbed, he said.

Mr Vali said the idols weighing 52 kgs had an antique value. and the cost of the idols will be estimated by the archeological department.

UNI CS SB DB2149