Spl team seizes 3 high-value idols from shop in Madurai

MADURAI: The Idol Wing seized three high value artefacts from a shop in Madurai recently. Acting on a tip off that a handicrafts shop, Cottage Emporium on North Chithirai Street in Madurai, was in possession of antique idols for sale, the Idol Wing obtained an order to search the premises. DGP Jayanth Murali, Inspector General of Police Dhinakaran, SP Ravi and ADSP Balamurugan planned a search operation. A special party led by Inspector Kavita raided the shop on October 17 in the presence of Jagur Ahmed Zarkar (42), the shop owner and three others. The team seized the three antique idols. A stone carved idol of Shiva and Parvathi about two feet height sculpted in a single stone, a woman idol of the same height and a stone head of Buddha. Experts say that the idols date back to 11th century probably belonging to the Pala dynasty. It could have been either stolen from a temple in Odisha or Andhra Pradesh.