With the arrest of international antique ‘dealer’ Subash Kapoor and his extradition from Germany to stand trial for the theft of 18 priceless idols from two Ariyalur temples (2008), the Tamil Nadu idol wing has broken the backbone of a global network of idol thieves.

“The biggest network of these idol smugglers is now broken. They had looted the ancient Tamil Nadu temples and made their millions by selling our culture to collectors abroad”, said idol wing IG, R. Arumugam.

Speaking to DC on the long and arduous work that his wing had undertaken to nab the gang involved in the Ariyalur temple thefts, the IG said investigation showed that Kapoor was the kingpin of the idol smuggling network that stretched across Hong Kong, London and New York.

Originally hailing from Jullundur in Punjab, his family has been settled in New York, where he owns a gallery named ‘Art of Past’, said Arumugam, who was among the first to inspect the temples when thieves carried away 18 idols in 2008.

He was a DIG in the idol wing at that time and after serving in some other wings of the state police, is back as IG as if on a divine call to speed up restoration of the idols to the Sivapuram and Suthamalli temples in Ariyalur.

Police nabbed a local thief Malaichamy and four associates within a few months of the thefts. The gang admitted to selling the idols to Sanjeevi Asokan, a Keralite with art galleries in several places, including Chennai.

Sustained probe showed that over Rs 4 crore had been transacted in the Ariyalur robbery and Kapoor was the ultimate destination. “When we sought detention of Asokan under the Goondas’ Act, the magistrate said why such a stiff action since he had taken only idols and caused no physical harm to humans”, recalled Mr Arumugam.

“I told the court that the accused threatened the local people with the Vel from the Murugan idol he stole from the temple when they tried to apprehend him”.

“I returned to idol wing four months back and since then, have pursued this case with determination. Securing non-bailable warrant against Kapoor was the big turning point as that empowered the police to arrest the accused any place, any time.

Our missions in Germany were great help”, said the IG, adding that all the stolen idols have been located in various countries and separate teams would be soon sent to recover them.

Kapoor held in cell meant for foreigners

Suspected international idol smuggler Subash Kapoor was detained in a comfortable cell meant for foreigners in the Puzhal prison and monitored by doctors round-the-clock since he has said he suffers from cancer, diabetes and other ailments.

He will be produced at the Jayankondam court in Ariyalur district along with seven other accused in the 2008 loot of 18 idols from two temples in the district.

While the police believes he is involved in several cases of smuggling of priceless idols from ancient temples in Tamil Nadu, the 63-year-old Indian American claims he had got all his antiques through legal channels.

“I run a global business and I purchase from various sellers. May be you can tell which idols you are referring to, so that I can tell if those idols had gone through me”, he said.