The seized "ashthadhatu" idol of Lord Krishna from a doctor in the Walled City of Delhi is said to cost around two crores in the international market.
The Hindu reports
An "asthadhatu" idol of Lord Krishna dating back to the Mughal era and valued at about Rs. 2 crores in the international market has been seized from a doctor in the Walled City of Delhi. His accomplice, an alleged criminal involved in several cases of theft and rape, has also been arrested.
According to the police, the accused, later identified as Jawad Hassan and Prahlad Sahay, were arrested near Jama Masjid on Friday evening while they were looking to dispose of the antique idol. Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Inspector Ashok Tyagi arrested the two and allegedly recovered the idol from a polythene bag they were holding During interrogation, Hassan purportedly told the police that he holds a Bachelor of Unani Medicines and Surgery degree from Tibia College in Jaipur and has been practising there for the past 15 years.
He came in contact with Sahay, also a resident of Rajasthan, some years back and was lured into the illegal business. Both of them knew that the antique idol could fetch them a huge price.
The two procured the idol from another person of Rajasthan who is still at large. A hunt has been launched for him.
This a second big catch for the Delhi police this week.
Earlier a 600-year-old "ashthadhatu'' idol of Lord Shani Dev was seized from the city.