Thirty-eight precious idols stolen in last three years

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) Out of the 38 idols and artefacts under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which went missing during the last three years, six have been recovered while 17 out of the 18 bronze idols stolen from the Patna Museum have been tracked down, a Culture Ministry official said today.

The cases have been handed over to the investigating agencies, including the CBI and the state police concerned.

The official said security arrangements of museums under the administrative control of the Central government were being constantly upgraded and strengthened.

Among the precious artefacts which were pilfered and reported to the Culture Ministry during the last three years are sculptures from Charkhamba Temple premises at ruined Krishna Vilas (Rajasthan), stone Shiv Linga from Bumzuva Cave in Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir), two fragment sculptures from Sun Temple in Modhera (Mehsana district, Gujarat) and bust of Jaina Tirthankara from the ruins of buried Jain Temple, in Denavulapadu village (Andhra Pradesh).

Some of the idols and artefacts, which were stolen but later recovered, are stone image of Ananta Shesh from Laxman Temple in Sirpur (Mahasamund, Chhatisgarh) and Buddha sculptures sitting in 'bhumisparsh' posture and 'dhyanmudra on a lotus' and female deity Tara in sitting position from a protected monument in Katni, Madhya Pradesh.

A case related to the theft of a stone head of Lord Buddha from the Indian Museum, Kolkata in December 2004 was handed over to the CBI.

Further, an FIR has been lodged in connection with the theft of central bud portion of the inverted lotus carved on the Kalyanamand ceiling of Shiv Kodandarama Swamy Temple (Vomtimitta, Andhra Pradesh).

With regard to the theft of 18 bronze idols from the Patna Museum, 17 have been recovered, the official said, adding that the case had been referred to the CBI.

UNI