[MSN] Rare Statue Stolen Over a Year Ago Recovered in Varanasi

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Rare Statue Stolen Over a Year Ago Recovered in Varanasi

Varanasi: October 11, 2006

The police in Varanasi, on Tuesday evening, recovered an antique Buddha statue made of Ashtadhatu (eight different metals) belonging to the 8th century A.D. that was stolen from the Patna Museum nearly a year and a half ago, and arrested five persons in the case.

Based on some credible information, the Varanasi police working undercover, set up a meeting with the smugglers. Posing as customers, the police arrived at a park near Nagwan and as soon the criminals showed the statue, the cops jumped into action and arrested five men while also recovering the statue.

The stolen statue, weighing nearly 4 kilograms, has an estimated value of over Rs. 4 crore in the international market, officials said.

The arrested men were identified as Awadhesh Patel, Munnu Maurya, Raju Maurya, Manu Maurya, and Gopal Yadav.

The police is searching for the leader of the gang Parwez Ahmed who is said to be absconding.

Meanwhile, the police so far has failed to recover the 18 statues belonging to the Pala dynasty that were stolen from Patna Museum on September 26.

http://www.patnadaily.com