Allahabad, November 09: Police today claimed to have seized an ‘ashtadhatu’ idol, estimated to be over a century old and worth over Rs 2 crore in the international market with the arrest of two persons in this connection.
The idol, made of an alloy of eight metals and hence called ‘ashtadhatu’, was seized in Tharwai police station area of the district’s trans-Ganga region, about 35 kms from the city.
“The recovery of the idol, which appears to be more than 100 years old and worth over Rs 2 crore in the international market was following a tip-off that two persons were looking out for buyers for the precious artefact”, in-charge of the Tharwai police station Sajid Khan told PTI.
He said, during interrogation the duo claimed that they had not stolen the idol but had “received it as a blessing from a sadhu” during their recent visit to Ayodhya.
–Agencies