'Ashtadhatu' idol seized, 2 arrested

Jaunpur, Oct 2 (UNI) Police have arrested two smugglers from the Jalalpur area here and seized an 'ashtadhatu' (eight-metal alloy) idol estimated at Rs 1.5 crore in the international market.

Police Superintendent Lalji Shukla today said acting on a tip-off cops swooped on the duo late last night and seized the 70-kg idol.

The idol was stolen about 2-3 years ago from a temple in Nepal, police added.

The accused were identified as Pramod, alias Firangi Patel, and Vinay Kumar Rai.

According to the archaeological department, the idol dates back to around 1725 AD.

Investigations are on.

UNI