Rs 20 cr 'ashtadhatu' idols seized, 2 held

Barabanki, Nov 13 (UNI) The Special Operation Group (SOG) of UP police busted an idol smuggling syndicate and arrested two people possessing five ancient 'ashtadhatu' idols, having an estimated worth of Rs 20 crore in the international market, here today.

Acting on a tip off police intercepted motorcycle-borne Gyanendra Kumar Verma and Ram Milan Das Baba, on the Deva-Chinhat road.

Idols of Lord Ram, Laxman, Goddess Sita, Krishna and Laddu Gopal were recovered from their possession, police said.

On interrogation, they confessed to the crime, saying they had stolen the idols from a temple at village Khewli in Deva area.

UNI