Sale of seized idols case: DSP on the run nabbed in Thanjai

While investigating a number of cases in the Idol Wing, IG Pon Manickavel cracked the idol smuggling case which involved Khader Batcha (57), presently a DSP. On Wednesday, the idol wing police arrested him as he had allegedly sold six bronze idols seized from a house in Aruppukkottai instead of producing them in the court.

According to police sources, in 2008, Khader Batcha was then an inspector, Subburaj (48), head constable and Murugan a constable, who were posted at Aruppukkottai police station. Six bronze idols unearthed near Aruppukkottai were handed over to Khader Batcha’s team. Instead of producing them in court, he had reportedly attempted to sell the idols.

Khader Batcha proceeded to Chennai with the idols and attempted to sell them to an antique dealer Dheenadayalan for Rs 50 lakh. It is said that when Dheenadayalan came to know that the idols were smuggled, he refused to buy them. This angered Khader Batcha who threatened him and the idols were bought by Dheenadayalan for Rs 25 lakh. They were then sold to an international antique dealer. Presently, the idols were spotted at Bangkok.

By 2017, Constable Murugan had died, head constable Subburaj was promoted as Special Sub Inspector (SSI) and Inspector Khader Batcha was promoted as DSP. When the breakthrough in the case was made Khader Batcha and Subburaj were suspended. While Subburaj was arrested, Khader Batcha fled the scene.

However, on Wednesday, the idol wing police brought Subburaj to Kumbakonam to produce him before the court and Khader Batcha attempted to meet him. He was immediately secured, produced before the court and lodged in central prison.