Idol theft prevention wing IG discusses for facilitation of renovation

The IG of the idol theft prevention wing, Pon Manickavel, Saturday held discussions with officials of the Sri Brihadeeswarartemple here on sculptures and idols in its inventory to facilitate renovation.

The visit of the IG and his team to the temple, also known as Big Temple, comes in the backdrop of a series of a reported theft of idols and sculptures from various temples across the state under the pretext of renovating them. There were also reports of disposal of debris of temples, which included some sculptures, during the renovation.

On September 27, the idol wing CID of Tamil Nadu police recovered antique items, including idols and temple pillars from a house in Chennai. It recently recovered a number of stolen idols, even as the Tamil Nadu government recommended a CBI probe into the matter, citing the need to carry out inter-state and an international probe into the matter.

But CBI had expressed its inability to take up the probe, citing a shortage of manpower and informed the Madras High Court in this regard. It assured all assistance to the state police in the extradition of the accused or coordination with the Interpol, among others.