Antique Buddha idol seized, four arrested in Orissa

Police in Orissa have arrested four people and recovered rare antiques, including a metal idol of Buddha, an ancient telescope, precious stones, coins and musk.

Kharveknagar (Orissa), May 20 : Police in Orissa have arrested four people and recovered rare antiques, including a metal idol of Buddha, an ancient telescope, precious stones, coins and musk.

Acting on a tip off, police conducted raids and recovered the items though they have not been able to ascertain the exact value of the materials.

"We conducted raids and recovered antique statues of Buddha and a telescope believed to be of a very ancient period. Experts are trying to find out the exact period to which they belong. We have also recovered musk and precious stones from them," said Himansu Lal, Deputy Commissioner of Police.

The accused pleaded guilty saying he was not involved directly and was duped by a person who sold him all these items.

"I was not involved, but have been lured into this. A person gave these items and took rupees two lakh. Later, I realised that some of these are duplicate. I asked him to take it back and return my money. He kept delaying and now I have heard that he is dead," said Bhimsen Padhi, one of the accused.

Unauthorized dealing in antiques is banned under the Antiquity and Art Treasure Act (AATA). Under the Act, no object that is more than 100 years old can be taken out of the country without permission.

ANI