The police seized two 200-year-old idols of Lord Krishna worth `4 crores in the antiques market. The police arrested three youths hailing from West Bengal who were trying to sell the idols.
Atiar Rehman Sheikh, 27, Firoz Sheikh, 32, and Abdulla Mandal, 39, all hailing from South 24 Parganas in West Bengal, were apprehended with the two idols from Pushp Vihar on Sunday when they were on the way to sell them to a dealer in Sainik Farms.
“The police got a a tip-off that three persons staying in Rajiv Nagar, Gurgaon, would go to Sainik Farms via Saket to dispose off some antique sculptures,” said deputy commissioner of police (south) Chhaya Sharma.
The police laid a trap in Asian Market, Pushpa Vihar, opposite to Sainik Farms. Three persons carrying bags were intercepted.
“The bag carried by Atiar had an idol of Lord Krishna in standing posture in ‘Bansuri Mudra’ duly wrapped in a Bangla newspaper. Another similar Idol of Lord Krishna wrapped in cloth was seized from Firoz Sheikh,” DCP Sharma said.
For preliminary examination, both the Idols were taken to the officials of Archaeological Survey of India who after inspection reported that they are “ashtadhatu” idols of Lord Krishna.
Rehman, the leader of the gang, was living in Delhi and Gurgaon for the past 10 years. He had contacted one Musharaff of West Bengal, a dealer in antique articles and asked him to send a few antique articles to him through his men so that these can be disposed off in Delhi to persons who could give a good price.
“Musharaff did not disclose as to from where he brought these two idols. Atiar was trying to locate the buyer in Sainik Farms to deliver the consignment. His associates, namely Firoz and Abdulla had come just a day ago from West Bengal with the consignment,” Sharma said.