The seized antique metal idols included Bhudevi idol measuring 56 cm in height and weighing 19 kg, Thirugnanasambandar idol measuring 37 cm in height and weighing 10 kg, and Sivagami Sundari idol measuring 55 cm in height and weighing 12.40 kg.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The officers of the Idol Wing-CID police foiled an illegal idol-smuggling attempt near Sethiathope in Cuddalore District, resulting in the arrest of five persons and the seizure of three antique metal idols, valued at ₹7 crore.Acting on credible confidential information received by N. Ravindran, Inspector of Police, Idol Wing-CID, Villupuram Range, a special police team conducted a surveillance operation near the Sethiathope Crossroad Flyover on National Highway in Cuddalore District. On Thursday at about 2 p.m., the team intercepted and surrounded five persons moving in the area carrying plastic gunny bags. Upon questioning and verification, the police recovered three antique metal idols from their possession and arrested all five accused in connection with the attempted illegal transportation and smuggling of the idols.The seized antique metal idols included Bhudevi idol measuring 56 cm in height and weighing 19 kg, Thirugnanasambandar idol measuring 37 cm in height and weighing 10 kg, and Sivagami Sundari idol measuring 55 cm in height and weighing 12.40 kg.Additional Director-General of Police, Idol Wing-CID, D. Kalpana Nayak, said interrogation of the suspects revealed that while searching for potential buyers, they had cut and damaged portions of the idols to test the purity of the metal for gold content. They were waiting at the location to hand over the idols to a buyer travelling from Kumbakonam to Chennai when the police apprehended them.The arrested persons have been identified as Rajalingam, 38, of Thirunaraiyur; Muthuraj, 40, of Vadakku Kolakudi; Rajavel, 50, of Thiruchinnapuram; Senthilkumar, 49, of Thiruchinnapuram; and Suresh, 34, of Vadalur, Kurinjipadi Taluk — all from Cuddalore district.A case has been registered in Idol Wing-CID Police under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The arrested accused, along with the First Information Report and the seized antique metal idols, were produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Egmore, Chennai. The court remanded all the accused to judicial custody until August 14 and they have been lodged in the Central Prison, Puzhal,Further investigation is in progress to ascertain the origin of the idols, identify the temple from which they were stolen, and trace other persons involved in the idol smuggling network. Published - July 31, 2026 07:11 pm IST
