Thanks to the alertness of the officials of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Bengaluru Airport and Air Cargo Commissionerate, an antique idol was intercepted at the International Courier Terminal. This 15th Century bronze idol of Lord Mahavishnu was being smuggled to Malaysia after having declared it as a new copy of the antique piece.
Following this incident which happened on Friday at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, an antique dealer from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu has been arrested.
Officers of CIU-ACC intercepted 1-Bronze Antique Vishnu Idol (22.5 kg 62.5 x 28 x 20 cm) attempted to export to Malaysia. ASI certified it as Antique U/Sec.24 of Antiquities & Art Treasures Act, 1972. Exporter was arrested & remanded to judicial custody @cbic_india @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/DNUkEq8f4a
— Bengaluru Customs (@blrcustoms) March 20, 2022
Suspicious about the consignment that was being sent to Kuala Lumpur, the Customs officials opened the packet, which revealed a three-feet tall bronze statue which was well polished. Talking to TOI, the officer said: "The exporter had declared it as a newly-made bronze antique replica statue. But as the idol had some key characteristics of an antique piece possibly aged over a few hundred years, our team decided to get it inspected by experts in the field.”
It was examined by Archaeological Survey of India experts the next day in the presence of the exporter who had been traced through the air courier agency. They declared the statue to be an antique piece which was in all probability more than 500 years old and may be from 15th Century Vijayanagara period.
The dealer was arrested for smuggling and booked under Customs Act 1962 and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972.
Also read: Customs officials seize 1 kg gold from plane at Delhi airport
