News

Attempt to smuggle Vijayanagar era Bronze statue foiled by custom officials in bengaluru

Share

Bengaluru: A statue, which was declared as a new replica of an antique, was recovered hours before it was scheduled to be shipped to Malaysia.
Officials with Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the air cargo wing at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru seized a bronze statue of Lord Mahavishnu dating back to the 15th century. An antique dealer from Tamil Nadu was arrested on Friday in connection with the case.

According to Customs officials, the team while conducting a routine inspection decided to take a closer look at a consignment in the cargo bay and found that the package contained the three-foot bronze statue.

When the team verified the papers they saw that the exporter had declared it as a newly-made bronze antique replica. But Customs officials were suspicious as it had some important characteristics of an antique and looked older.

A team went to Tamil Nadu to secure the exporter and brought him to Bengaluru. The team also requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to examine the idol to see if their suspicions were correct.

The ASI team confirmed that the bronze statue was indeed an antique piece and could be from the 15th century Vijayanagara period, said officials. They added that the ASI said the statue had been polished and modified in an attempt to make it look new.

Based on their findings, the dealer from Tamil Nadu was booked under various sections of the Customs Act and the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act. The dealer was produced before a magistrate on Saturday who remanded him in judicial custody.

Officials are tracing the source of the idol, and investigation is on to ascertain if the accused is part of a larger smuggling network.

bmadmin

Recent Posts

Case Registered After Alleged Attempt at Child Marriage in Bengaluru Mosque

Bengaluru, October 1, 2025 – A case has been filed following allegations that a child…

5 days ago

“Kantara Part 1: A Stunning Blend of Culture, Faith and Action”

Kushinara M D Bengaluru: Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Part 1 has left audiences across the nation…

6 days ago

Kannada Literary Giant S.L. Bhyrappa Passes Away at 94; Nation Mourns

Bangalore Mail Desk BENGALURU: Eminent Kannada novelist, philosopher, and thinker Santeshivara Lingannaiah “S.L.” Bhyrappa died…

2 weeks ago

“Mother Chamundi has Called Me”: Banu Mushtaq Inaugurates Mysuru Dasara Festival Amid Debate and Celebration

Mysuru| September 22: Grand Mysuru Dasara festival has officially begun today, as Booker Prize–winning author…

2 weeks ago

Machete-Wielding Snatchers Attack Women in Bengaluru, Steal Gold Chain

Bengaluru, September 16, 2025 Chain-snatchers have struck again in Bengaluru, this time using machetes and…

3 weeks ago

Bengaluru Likely to Have 400 Official Wards by September 26

Bengaluru, September 16, 2025 Authorities expect that the city will soon be officially divided into…

3 weeks ago