Uttar Pradesh: Rs 16 cr worth ancient idol seized

Behraich, Apr 4: Police here today busted an idol smuggling syndicate and arrested one of its member in possesion of an ancient 'ashtadhatu' idol worth over Rs 16 crore in the international market. Acting on a tip-off, cops cordoned off Bargah area and swooped upon Krishna Chandra Vansh Shukla in Gullaveer locality.

On interrogation, the accused confessed to the crime, saying he was on way to Nepal to sell the idol of Lord Ram and Sita for mere Rs 5 lakh. Krishna Chandra disclosed that he had bought the idol from a sage in Jhansi for just Rs 70,000. Meanwhile, a manhunt had been launched to nail his associates.

UNI