Idols worth Rs 7 crore seized in Kerala

Two 'panchaloha' idols worth Rs seven crore and dating back to the Chola dynasty period have been recovered by police from a five-member gang at nearby Perinthalmanna.

Two 'panchaloha' idols worth Rs seven crore and dating back to the Chola dynasty period have been recovered by police from a five-member gang at nearby Perinthalmanna.

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Police said the idols of Goddess Uma Devi and Jaina Theerthankara, weighing 9.50 kg and 4 kg, were seized from the gang last evening when they were taking it in a vehicle.

The panchaloha idols are made up of five metals.

Archaeological Survey of India officials said the idols, smuggled from Tamil Nadu, dated to the Chola dynasty period of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The gang told police they had got the idols from a person in Tamil Nadu and were meant to be sold in Kerala.