Miss Alone
Prime VIP
The United States today has returned over 200 pieces of rare artefacts estimated $100 million to India at a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The items that were returned included religious statues, bronze, and terra-cotta pieces, some ranging back to 2,000 years old, looted from some religious sites of great significance. A statue of Saint Manikkavichavakar, a Hindu poet from Chola period, was also returned which was stolen from the Sivan Temple in Chennai. It is valued at $1.5 million. The list also includes a bronze sculpture of Ganesh estimated to be 1,000 years old.
When were these seized?
As per Firstpost, It all started with federal gumshoes receiving a tip-off about seven suspiciously heavy crates being shipped off to the US described as “marble garden table sets.”
A closer examination revealed the crates contained priceless antiques, setting off “Operation Hidden Idol,” which resulted in the arrest of six people and the recovery of artefacts worth over $100 million.
This shipment was imported by Subhash Kapoor, owner of Art of the Past Gallery, who waits for trial in India.
He allegedly looted tens of millions of worth rare antiquities from several nations.
