Police bust antiques smuggling racket in Delhi

The police recovered eight artefacts from their possession and two more from the guesthouse in the walled city area where Pradeep and Shankar were staying. Another piece was recovered from Islamuddin’s shop in Turkman Gate, the police said.

The recovered artefacts, which the police estimate to be of 10th and 11th centuries, comprise idols of Hindu deities like Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and a panel of Gods and Goddesses. Women in terracota, engraved items and bones have also been recovered by the police.

Interrogations have revealed that Pradeep owns a guesthouse while Shankar owns an STD booth in Uttar Dinajpur. The duo has admitted that the third associate, Tapash Kumar, used to supply the artefacts, and also had a network to dispose them of in Delhi, the police said. Police interrogations have revealed that the gang had been operating for over a year. The arrested persons also revealed that they have delivered four artefacts in the past and all of them have been disposed of by Islamuddin.