In 2020, the wing registered a case based on specific information regarding the theft of four valuable idols from the Soundararaja Perumal temple in Thanjavur district, between 1957 and 1967.These idols were illegally sold by unknown idol traffickers and smuggled abroad.Through sustained efforts, the wing traced the smuggled idols to various museums abroad.The Thirumangai Alwar idol was found to have been purchased by the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford University, London, in 1967.Investigation revealed that, at present, only replicas of these four idols were used for worship at the Sri Soundaraja Perumal temple, while the original idols remain in foreign museums.The investigating officers, under the guidance of IGP, Idol Wing CID, R Dhinakaran, and the direct supervision of Superintendent of Police, Idol Wing CID, R Sivakumar, have meticulously collected all scientific evidences regarding the provenance of the four stolen idols.”The officers compiled convincing and indisputable evidence and have sent it to the relevant authorities in the countries where these idols are currently located. This evidence is crucial in demonstrating the true origin of the idols, which had been smuggled abroad,” the release stated.
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