The Bihar government has recommended a CBI inquiry into the theft of a precious 2,600-year-old idol of Lord Mahavir from a Jain temple in Jamui district, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today.
Kumar told reporters that the state police was probing the theft of the idol efficiently but since the CBI has a specialised wing to crack such cases, the state has recommended a probe by the premier investigating agency into the case.
The Bihar CM expressed concern over the matter and said the state was making all efforts to recover the precious idol.
The ancient idol of 24th Tirthankar of Jains, Lord Mahavir, weighing 250 kg and worth several crores, was stolen from a Jain temple near Lachuar village in Bihar's Jamui district on Friday night.
Considering importance of the stolen idol, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had called up Nitish Kumar on Saturday to enquire about the progress of the investigations.
The black stone statue at the temple which has huge antique value is under the protection of Archaeological Survey of India.
Jamui Lok Sabha member Chirag Paswan has met Union Home Minister and sought expeditious recovery of the valuable idol.
