Stolen idols of Buddha, Nataraj & Alingana to be retrieved back to India from French-American Auction Houses

Chennai, Dec 31: Tamil Nadu Police Idol Wing is preparing paperwork to retrieve three idols stolen from the state and bring them back to India. The idols were reportedly stolen and were to be auctioned at the Christie's Auction House, Sotheby's and another house in Manhattan, said DGP K Jayanth Murali Friday (Dec 30).

Reportedly, the police say they have gathered enough evidence to establish the Indian origin of the idols. One of the idols, a Buddha, originally belonged to Arapakkam in Tamil Nadu's Kanchipuram district. The Buddha idol will be reinstated at its original location and paperwork for that is expected to be submitted within a week's time.

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The two other stolen idols include a Lord Nataraj bronze idol and an idol of Alingana Murthy. The Lord Nataraj bronze idol, stolen in 1972, will return to its original location in Akilandeswari Sametha Kothandarameshwar temple in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district. The Alingana Murthy idol will be returned to Sri Tolisvarar temple Kovilpalayam in Perambalur district. Tamil Nadu police immediately raised concern.

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According to a Press Release, "As there was adequate proof to establish ownership of the idol, authorities in India and abroad were alerted to stop the auction. The DGP also put out a tweet and personally contacted the Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf over phone," according to a press release.