The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Manhattan District Attorney’s office have traced four of 18 idols stolen from Tamil Nadu, according to information available here. The investigation process involves a web of informers, secret recordings, and interception of mails.
According to a complaint filed by investigators in the Criminal Court of the City of New York, these four sculptures, valued at $14.5 million, were in the possession of Sushma Sareen, sister of Subhash Chandra Kapoor, the U.S.-based antiquities dealer now in jail in Chennai for his alleged role in the theft. Ms. Sareen, 60, was arrested and later released on bail. This development has brightened the prospect of retrieving some of the idols stolen from Tamil Nadu over time and smuggled to the U.S. It also explicates the trail of the sculptures and Subhash Kapoor’s role. The statement filed in court, which provides a detailed account of the investigation, were made available to The Hindu by Jason Felch of the Los Angeles Times, with whom this correspondent has been collaborating on the chase. Read More