[MSN] Eighteen bronze idols dating back to Pala era (775 - 1050 A.D) that had gone missing from Patna Museum in September have been recovered

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Stolen 18 bronze idols from Patna Museum recovered

Patna, Nov.20 (ANI): Eighteen bronze idols dating back to Pala era (775 -
1050 A.D) that had gone missing from Patna Museum in September have been
recovered from Fatehpur in Bihar's Gaya District during a joint operation
conducted by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Bihar Police.  

Three persons identified as Shahid Mirajwarsi, Shahid Rashid Warsi and Vinod
Yadav have been arrested in connection with the theft. 

"Idols have been recovered and three persons have been arrested," said
Rajnikant Mishra, Joint Director, Central Bureau of Investigation, the
premier investigative agency.

The three arrested individuals had hatched a conspiracy to steal the 18
antique statues belonging to the Pala era. The recovered idols are believed
to be worth crores of rupees in the international market of antique goods. 

Gopala founded the Pala dynasty in about 750 AD. His rule lasted for about
25 years but the dynasty remained in power for about 300 years. Gopala was
succeeded by Dharma Pala in 775 and ruled till 810 A.D. (ANI)