Superintendent of Naxalbari Customs Preventive Divisional Unit Paresh Sarkar said that the idol was hidden in the house of the accused for a month and he planned to smuggle it to Nepal soon.
"According to the accused, he recovered it (the idol) from north Itahat area.He hid it in his house for one month. His house is in Itahat at Bangladesh border. From there it was going to be transported to Nepal border," said Sarkar.
The idol made out of sandstone is said to be a rare model of Buddha and is estimated to be worth 10 million rupees. Unauthorised dealing in antiques is banned under the Antiquity and Art Treasure Act (AATA).
Search Buddhist Channel
Please support to keep NORBU going:
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv