The special task force (STF) of Bhopal police on Thursday claimed to have busted a gang involved in the smuggling of antiques with the arrest of two persons and seizure of two metal idols and a painting.
The accused were looking to sell the antiques, which have archaeological value, in the international market.
Acting on a tip-off regarding two persons carrying idols and paintings of archaeological importance and expensive in a car bearing registration number UP93AE3371, it was stopped and when checked, idols and painting were found recovered from their possession.
An STF team arrested Praveen Agrawal and Rajendra Rajput, residents of Jhansi, from Chirula barrier on the Datia-Jhansi roadon Wednesday. The team found in their possession a 20.5 cm tall idol of lord Parshwanath sitting in lotus position with a lion-like figure in the front. It weighs 5.29 kg.
It also seized another idol, 35 cm tall and weighing 4.7 kg. It has two pairs of hands; in one hand it is holding a mace and a lotus flower in another. Also, a 38.2 X 31.1 cm painting of a horse rider, with "01.05.31" written on the backside, probably indicating a date, was seized.
The STF was probing the source of the idols and painting, its release said, adding that interrogation of the arrested men may throw light on interstate gangs which smuggle ancient idols.
In the initial investigation when the two were questioned they confessed that the valuables were scheduled to be sold in the international market which would fetch big money.
The nexus works in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and other states and with the arrest of the two more information of the nexus in the states they have provided would be revealed.