Chennai: The Madras High Court today wanted to know from where city-based businessman Ranvir Shah, from whose properties the police found and seized large number of idols, purchased them.
When the anticipatory bail pleas of Shah and his friend and entrepreneur Kiran Rao came up for hearing before Justice R Mahadevan and Justice P D Audikesavalu, the petitioner’s counsel said that there was no link between the alleged idol smuggling kingpin Deenadayalan and Shah.
The advocate also said that Shah was collecting antiques from 1993 and he had obtained certificates for them in 2008.
Following this, the Judges wanted to know the source of purchase of the idols and also directed to submit copies of the certificates. Then they posted the case to 11 October for further hearing.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Idol Wing of the State police is planning to arrest both Shah and Rao. The department issued summons to Shah, Rao and six others in connection with the idols it uncovered from two locations in the city.
Recently, 23 artifacts including pillars and statues were unearthed from the Teynampet residence of Rao. She runs one of the first ever cafes in the city Amethyst located at Royapettah. She also owns a boutique and antique gold jewellery store in the city.
She came under the scanner of Idol Wing Police after the team seized 89 ancient idols from the Saidapet bungalow of Shah. The confiscated artifacts are worth Rs 100 crores.
The police have issued summons to them and have decided to investigate them at the HR and CE office in Kumbakonam if they appear.
Speaking to News Today, an official said,”We have issued summons but we are unaware of their whereabouts.” The team wants to question them to find if the seized antiques were illegally procured.
Rao and Shah are listed in the board of directors of KCP Sugar and Industries Corporation Limited. While Rao is named as an executive director, Shah is listed as an independent director, reports said.
On 4 October, the Idol Wing issued a summons to Shah, but his lawyer K Thangarasu claimed that Shah was in North India for personal reasons.
The department so far has conducted inquires with KCP Sugars general manager Dayanidhi.
Other associates Senthil, Achu, Sathish Prakash have been asked to appeared before Idol Wing.