Acting on a tip-off, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) intercepted three thieves on National Highway 34 at West Bengal and seized six antique idols worth Rs 8 crore on Friday. The trio also had fake documents from different international organizations, including one from NASA, supposedly to help them smuggle the idols easily into the international market. The men have been identified as Radha Mohan Bharti (35), Mirajul Haque (48) and Najeer Hussain (33).
"In a joint operation with local police, SSB seized six antique idols and fake documents pertaining to different international organisations and three men were apprehended from West Bengal's Amdanga," said SSB senior officer.
A trap was laid on National Highway 34 at Amdanga near Barasat and at around 3 pm, the vehicle was intercepted. During search of the vehicle, six antique idols, and documents issued by DRDO, Novelty International, an authorisation certificate issued by NASA, a certificate issued by licence department in London, a certificate issued by the International Monetary Fund and a certificate issued by British transport police were recovered.
The accused were trying to make their from Bangur in Kolkata to Dak Bangla in Barasat. "All the documents and certificate provided by them seem to be forged to help smuggle these idols easily," the officer said.
The idols and certificates were handed over to Amdanga Police Station in 24 Parganas (North) for further investigations. "The main accused is at large and police is searching his probable hideouts," the officer added.
In June, SSB seized an asthadhatu idol of goddess Sita, estimated to be worth Rs 40 crore, in Siliguri. Interrogation of two smugglers arrested in the incident revealed that a thriving network of smugglers lift antique idols from temples in Bihar and sell them in Nepal, from where they are sent to other countries where deep-pocketed collectors await them.
