CBI to probe Roerich painting case?

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigations may take up Russian atist Nicholas Roerich case. Two of the artist’s paintings, which were stolen from a Delhi Institute, have now been traced in London. The two paintings have been put on auction by a Paksitani citizen. Chief metropolitan magistrate Vinod Yadav has requested UK`s home office to grant CBI to probe into the case. The paintings titled ‘Himalaya Kanchenjunga’ and ‘Sunset Kashmir’ were stolen from the library of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). Two paintings by Nicholas Roerich - entitled Himalaya Kanchenjunga and Sunset Kashmir - were stolen from the IARI library where they had been on display until May 30, 2009. The IARI realised that the two paintings had been put up for auction at Sotheby`s in London by Zahid Nair, a resident of Pakistan and Rafay Nazir Kahan, a London-resident. Accused in the case is NS Pakhale, who retired as head of library services in 2009. After his retirement, Pakhale handed over the keys of library office to his successor 15 days after retirement. After Pakhale`s retirement, it came to IARI`s notice that the two paintings were presented to Sotheby`s London for auction by Zahid Nazir, a resident of Pakistan and Rafay Nazir Khan, a resident of Park Street in London. With Agency Inputs