Four arrested with antique idols worth Rs.5 crore

Lucknow: Four men have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh`s Pratapgarh district with two `ashtdhatu` (eight-metal) idols worth Rs.5 crore in the international market, police said Monday.

The four, who are residents of Kaushambhi and Allahabad districts, were nabbed late Sunday in Mandhata town, some 150 km from Lucknow, and Lord Buddha idols were seized from them.

"Acting on a tip-off, we managed to arrest the four who were on their way to sell the idols," Inspector SD Dubey told reporters Monday in Prataphgarh.

"We are yet to ascertain the place where from the two idols were stolen. The four men are giving contradictory statements in this regard," he added.

IANS