CHENNAI: A rare metal trident with Bhadrakali, a stone idol of Nandi and a six-headed stone idol of Skandha-Karthikeya (Subramanya) — these three antique idols and artefacts stolen from various temples in Thanjavur and Thiruvarur taluks in Tamil Nadu are set to be returned from Australia.The idols, dating back to the 12th century, were identified at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, by the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing-CID during investigations into idol theft cases and are being returned through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) mechanism. The repatriation was confirmed on Thursday after Australian authorities agreed to hand over the artefacts during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia. Once brought back to India, the idols will be handed over to the respective temples after legal formalities.The trident with Bhadrakali is estimated to be worth around Rs 2 crore and the stone idol of Nandi, valued at nearly Rs 4 crore, originally belonged to Arulmigu Kailasanathar Temple at Kaduvankudi village in Thiruvarur district.The six-headed stone idol of Skandha-Karthikeya (Subramanya), estimated to be worth about Rs 2 crore, is from Arulmigu Naganathaswami Temple at Manambadi village in Thanjavur district. The idols are linked to a case registered by the Idol Wing-CID in 2016. ADSP Balamurugan and team carried out a Internet search and traced the idols to the museum in Australia. The team then identified the temples, and obtained summons from a Kumbakonam court.“It was then sent to the Australian govt through ministry of external affairs. After a sustained legal process, they agreed to return the idols,” said additional director general of police D Kalpana Nayak. She along with inspector general of police Anil Kumar Giri and superintendent of police M Chandrasekaran, commended the investigation team for securing the repatriation.Director general of police Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal also appreciated the officers involved in the operation.
