[CPProt.net] India: Lucknow Police 'guess' value of seized 'antique' idols themselves instead of sending them to museum

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Idle business 
October 22, 2005
 
Lucknow Police 'guess' value of seized 'antique' idols themselves instead of
sending them to museum, ASI experts 
 
Manish Sahu 
 
Lucknow, October 22: * Sept 9: The Lucknow Police seized two Ashthadhatu -
made up of eight metals - idols from two persons, Pravin Kumar Singh alias
Bantu Dada and Shamim Abbas alias Shakil, who were both arrested. The police
said both the idols are about 200 years old and valued at Rs 3 crores in the
international market.
* July 20: Another two Ashthadhatu idols were recovered from two persons.
Police arrested the duo. Police informed that the idols belong to 1200-1500
AD and cost Rs 1 crore in the international market.
* May 17: Six persons were arrested after one Astadhatu idol was recovered
from them. Police claimed the idol was 400 years old and costs Rs 1.5 crore
in the international market. 

IN the last few months, the police have recovered six ''antique'' idols from
smugglers. Police claim that all these idols are valued at over Rs 1 crore
each. So how do they decide the age or monetary value of the idols? Newsline
investigations revealed that most of these estimates are nothing but wild
guessing on the part of police officials. 
 
 
According to the Antiquities and Art Treasurer Act, 1972, there is an
archelogical registration office and valuation committee in every district
to find out the antiquity and valuation of recovered antiques. But the
Lucknow Police seldom visit any of these departments for an expert
evaluation of the stolen idols. 

This despite State Museum director Jitendra Kumar's assertion that as per
the law, the police need to get a valuation done by the State Museum
Directorate. ''The law is very clear. They (police) need to verify it (the
monetary value) with our department. But they never come,'' said Kumar. 

Expert opinions are rarely sought from other quarters like the Archelogical
Survey of India, State Archelogy, State Museum and National Research
Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property either. 

Officials confirmed that the police never visit these departments for
verification of these ''antiques'', nor have any verification documents been
issued by any of the authorities concerned. 

''Police never come to us to seek verificiation. We don't even know how many
idols have been recovered by them,'' said State Archaeology director Dr
Rakesh Tiwari. ''The police team has visited us only twice in the last few
years to confirm the value of some seized idols,'' he added. 

Dr M V Nayar, director of the NRLC which is governed by the Archelogical
Survey of India (ASI), said: ''Till now, no such work has been assigned to
us by the ASI... If the police had visited ASI, they would have sent the
idols to us for investigation.'' 

Assistant director of the State Museum, I P Pandey, added: ''The police have
visited us twice. Both times, they did so on the directives of the Court.'' 

When contacted, Lucknow SSP Ashutosh Pandey said: ''It is not our duty to
seize idols and arrest people involved in its theft or smuggling. This comes
under the purview of the archaelogical department. But we still do this job
when it comes to our notice.'' 

However, the State Museum director refuted his claim. ''Of course it is the
duty of the police to check thefts and arrest people. The Act of 1972 is
very clear,'' he claimed.

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