Chennai: Retired senior police officer Khader Batcha is yet again facing charges of smuggling of ancient temple idols and selling them in the international market.
Last night, he was arrested from the city and produced before a court in Kumbakonam and sent to police custody until 4 April. It is alleged that he smuggled 13 idols from Pazhavur Narumpoonathar Temple in Tirunelveli in 2015, including a Nataraja idol.
Special officer of Idol Wing department, former IG Pon Manickavel, investigated the case and arrested 10 persons and recovered nine idols.
In 2017, former DSP Batcha was arrested on charges of committing armed robbery of antique idols near Aruppukottai in Virudhunagar district in 2008.
Two idols – one of Siva and Parvathy and another of Sivagami – were sold for lakh of rupees to idol smuggler Deenadayalan. The idols ended up in the hands of international idol smuggler Subash Kapoor.
After committing the crime, Batcha, was promoted as deputy superintendent of police, Tiruvallur district. His aide from the police department at the time was Subbaraj. He went on to become the sub-inspector of police at Koyambedu police station.
Later, Pon Manickavel of Idol Wing CID began inquiring the case and Batcha absconded for months. Based on statements, he was arrested in 2017. Investigation is still under way.