3 Brothers Arrested As Police Bust Idol Theft Racket In Odisha

Jagatsinghpur: With the arrest of three brothers and recovery of over 50 idols, police on Sunday claimed to have busted an antique idol theft racket in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur district.

The three accused brothers have been identified as Barada Prasanna Acharya, Ananda Prasanna Acharya and their elder brother Sarada Prasanna Acharya.

Sources said the Balipatna police of Khurda district arrested two siblings – Barada Prasanna and Annada Prasanna on Friday, while Jagatsinghpur Sadar Police arrested their elder brother Sarada Prasanna from Chandhei village on Saturday.

The police with the help of locals exhumed more than 50 antique idols made of different metals, brass cobra idols and other items of temples buried beneath their house.

The three used to steal valuables from temples in Cuttack, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts.

Investigation in the case is in progress and more idols are likely to be recovered, a police official said, adding that a team, headed by Jagatsinghpur IIC and SDPO has been formed to probe the case.

The accused siblings have confessed that they buried the idols beneath their house. Subsequently, the idols were exhumed. Those who have bought the idols from the accused will also face legal action, police said.