An antique idol of Lord Mahavira, the 24th Teerthankar of Jains was recovered from a man who was allegedly trying to sell it at Langer House area here, police said today.
Sleuths of Commissioner's Task Force (North Zone) Team apprehended Mukaddis Hussain who was in possession of the idol (panchaloha combination) and was trying to sell it today to earn fast buck, they said.
Hussian, a native of Uttar Pradesh and doing a glass cutting and glass fitting work here became friends with one Gyan Singh of Madhya Pradesh.
"Facing financial problems, both of them decided to earn easy money and started searching for illegal ways. Two months ago, Gyan Singh procured one antique idol of Lord Mahavira made of Panchaloha (five-metal alloy) from his native place and showed it to Mukaddis Hussain," police said in a release.
They hatched a plan to sell the idol to overcome their financial problems and started searching for customers to sell it for Rs 50 lakh.
Today, when Hussian was waiting near a hotel at Langer House, along with the idol, the police team on a credible information apprehended him.
"It's antiquity and Panchaloha combination is yet to be ascertained. The apprehended accused along with seized property was handed over to the SHO, Langer House Police Station for further action and efforts are on to nab Gyan Singh, who is absconding," the release added.
