DCIB sleuths recover 23-kg ancient idol, 1 held

 One Abdul Rahiman (29) of Thumbe has been arrested in this connection, while two others — Razak Kukkaje and Shabbir Kukkaje are yet to be detained. A Tata Indigo car has been seized. DCIB Inspector H N Venkatesh Prasanna said the accused were trying to sell the idol when the police blocked their car at Thalapady in Bantwal B Muda village on specific information that the idol was being brought to Mangalore.

“Razak and Shabbir fled the scene, who knew the details of the idol. The arrested does not know from where actually the idol was stolen,” he said.

The idol in the standing position appears like that of Bahubali, but in its basement, there is a cow-calf carving, which is not usually found in a Bahubali statue. Hence, it has been guessed that the idol might be of one of the 24 Teerthankaras. It is 21 inches in height.
“It has been estimated that the idol is of some 500 years old. However, only investigations should tell whom the idol belongs to,” Prasanna said.

“There were two complaints, from Vitla and Moodabidri, on idol theft. The complainants have already checked the idol, and confirmed that it is not theirs. Anybody having an idea regarding the idol can contact the DCIB police, he said.