CHENNAI: An attempt to auction a centuries-old metal idol of Kannappa Nayanar, stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu 15 years ago, was thwarted following swift intervention by the Tamil Nadu Idol Theft Prevention Unit.
The idol, which was scheduled for auction at the European Fine Arts Exhibition 2025 in Netherlands, has been secured by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and is now in the process of being repatriated to India.
The metal idol was originally stolen from the Arulmigu Agneeswarar Temple in Tiruppugazhur, Nagapattinam district, on August 8, 2010. A case was registered at the Thittacherry Police Station under Section 380 of the Indian Penal Code for theft in a dwelling house.
Despite limited leads at the time, the investigation continued under the watch of Tamil Nadu’s Anti-Idol Wing. Earlier this year, officials received intelligence indicating that the stolen Kannappa Nayanar idol was set to be auctioned abroad. On March 18, 2025, former Inspector General of Police (Idol Wing) Pravesh Kumar promptly alerted authorities in the Netherlands and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) through an official email, requesting immediate action to halt the auction.
Responding to the alert, Dutch authorities placed the idol under the custody of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 23, 2025. Legal steps have since been initiated by the Indian govt to facilitate the return of the artefact to India, in coordination with the Netherlands.
The successful interception has been widely credited to the collaborative efforts of Tamil Nadu’s senior law enforcement officials. Those acknowledged for their pivotal roles include Director General of Police Shankar Jiwal, Inspector General of Police (Idol Wing) T. Kalpana Nayak, IGP Pravesh Kumar (presently in Chennai city police as the additional commissioner of police, north Chennai), Additional Superintendent of Police (Central Zone, Trichy) Sivakumar, Inspector K. Balamurugan of Kumbakonam, and Inspector R.P. Kavitha.
Officials praised the timely coordination between national and international agencies, which prevented the sale of India’s cultural heritage. The Tamil Nadu Idol Wing continues its investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the theft and illegal export of the idol.
Efforts are ongoing to secure the idol’s return, ensuring it is restored to its rightful place at the Arulmigu Agneeswarar Temple.