Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Feb 25: Police personnel attached to the town police station here raided a spot near Lord Kotilingeshwara temple at Koteshwara near here on Saturday February 24 and took into possession four ancient idols of Jain Tirthankars, which are said to be commanding price of crores of rupees in the market.

The raid was conducted based on reliable information the police got. Five persons, who were taken into custody relating to this seizure, are being investigated.

Nevill Wilfy Mascarenhas from Padil, Mangaluru, Anil Furtado from Talaguppa in Shivamogga district, and Ashton Sequeira, resident of Kulshekar, Mangaluru, were standing near a Hyundai Verna car that was parked near the said temple, waiting for customers. John and Anila, residents of Church Road in the town were standing a little distance away.

Police sub-inspector from here, Harish, along with other staff, raided the spot, at which the persons tried to flee. The staff succeeded in taking them into custody. When questioned, they failed to provide satisfactory explanation about their presence at the spot. The police then searched the car and found four antique Tirthankara idols concealed under the seat. The police, who checked the idols, found that they were rare and ancient idols, value of which is difficult to ascertain.

When confronted with the idols, the accused confessed to their crime. The other two persons, John and Anila, were taken into custody on the basis of suspicion about their involvement.

The car, cash counting machine, Rs 40,000 in cash and cellphones were taken ito possession from the arrested persons. Further investigation is on.