Bank Employee Nabbed in Elaborate Fake Idol Scheme
In a significant crackdown on the illicit trade of cultural artifacts, a 40-year-old man from Tiruvarur district has been arrested for allegedly attempting to pass off contemporary idols as valuable ancient Panchaloha pieces. The suspect, identified as G Tamilarasan, a resident of Palavanakudi in Tiruvarur block, was working as an office assistant at a nationalized bank branch when he orchestrated the scam.
The Elaborate Sting Operation
According to police reports, the investigation began in September when Tamilarasan acquired a Natarajar idol and a Sivagami idol from an artisan in Swamimalai, located in the Thanjavur district. He purchased these newly crafted metal idols for approximately 75,000 rupees but immediately began searching for potential buyers whom he could convince that these were genuine antique pieces worth lakhs of rupees.
Acting on a specific tip-off about Tamilarasan's activities, law enforcement authorities moved quickly to detain the suspect. Tiruvarur superintendent of police Karun Garad provided crucial details about the operation: "Our investigation revealed that he had hidden the idols near Pudukottai and later retrieved them. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to deliberately misrepresenting these recently manufactured metal idols as historic relics."
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
On Thursday, the Tiruvarur Town Police formally registered a case against Tamilarasan under Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Following his arrest, the suspect was produced before a judicial magistrate who subsequently ordered him to be placed in judicial custody.
Authorities have indicated that their probes are continuing to determine whether Tamilarasan might have been involved in additional schemes to peddle other objects as antiquities. The police are particularly interested in uncovering any potential network or previous attempts to sell counterfeit artifacts.
Official Warning to Public About Artifact Trade
SP Karun Garad took the opportunity to emphasize the serious legal implications of trading in ancient artifacts without proper authorization. He issued a stern warning to the public: "People should purchase high-value goods solely from licensed vendors who can provide valid documentation. It is crucial to steer clear of unlawful channels like the black market when dealing with potentially cultural significant items."
The police official's statement underscores the broader issue of artifact fraud in the region, where the rich cultural heritage often becomes a target for unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit both buyers and the historical significance of genuine artifacts.
