Stolen antique idol from Chungraj recovered

Shimla, Aug 21 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today informed the assembly that a stolen antique idol of Chungraj deity of Kamru Temple in tribal Kinnaur district had been recoved along with six other idols by the police.

Replying to a question by Vijai Singh Mankotia (Cong), he said as per the identification by the priests and members of the temple committee, Kamru and the report of the Director Archeological Survey of India (ASI), the recovered idol was genuine.

Mr Singh said that a case was registerd under section 457 and 380 of the IPC and a challan was put up in the court.

During trial, accused Ashok Kumar was declared proclaimed offender, while one Gmir Singh was convicted, he said.

Seven other accused, including an Italian resident Beli Ram Sharma, Arvind Pal Singh, Dharam pal, Ram Sanjivan AND Jai Dev were acquitted by a local court, he said adding that the Government had filed an appeal in the High Court and was still pending.

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