CBI recoveres the stolen antiques

Patna, Nov 19 (UNI) The CBI, investigating into the the most sensitive case of the theft of valuable antiques in bulk from Patna museum achieved a major breakthrough as it recovered 17 pieces of the stolen idols last night.

CBI Joint Director Rajni Kant Mishra told newspersons here today that of the 18 idols, 15 were recovered from a house in Barhaitha village under Giriyak police station area of Nalanda district last night.

He said an idol of Lord Ganesha was also recovered from the same house during a raid conducted on the clue given by the arrested brothers Shahid Miraj Warsi and Shahid Rashid Warsi.

Mr Mishra said a special team of CBI comprising one police superintendent, two inspectors and two constables were constituted to solve the theft case which was monitored by the CBI DIG Praveen Sinha and by him.

He said detail investigation to trace the mastermind of the theft and the links of the arrested accused persons was on.

He said a special look out notice was circulated to all airports, ports, immigration check posts, costom collectors and DGPs of the states. The special notice was also sent to the interpol which was asked to include the photographs and discription of the 18 stolen idols in the interpols stolen art database.

He said the CBI also declared a reward of Rs 2 lakhs for giving definite information about the theft. Acting on the tip of some informations about a possible sale of the antique pieces in Kolkata, the Warsi brothers were arrested from Bibiu Bagan locality under Entally police station area on November 15 and two of the stolen antiques were recovered.

In view of the sensitivity of the case, Mr Mishra, however, refused to disclose the name of the buyer trying to purchase the idols in Kolkata. He also could not assess the exact value of the stoled idols, but said that it were worth crores in international market.

After sustained interrogation of the Warsi brothers their another accomplice Vinod Yadav was also arrested from Fatehpur in Gaya district and 15 idols were also recovered from Nalada district.

He said except Manjushri, the smallest precious idol of 10th century all other bronze idols of Pala period had been recovered.

UNI RS BA RD 1927