Two men arrested; idols, painting seized

The special task force (STF) of Bhopal police today 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, it said in a release here.
An STF team arrested Praveen Agrawal and Rajendra Rajput, residents of Jhansi, from Chirula barrier on the Datia-Jhansi road yesterday.
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.