The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested two persons for allegedly trying to sell a 900-year-old idol of a Tibetan saint.
Ngawang Tsundue had allegedly stolen the idol of Terton Pema Lingpa from the house of the Head Lama in Arunachal Pradesh.
Religious significance
Mr. Tsundue (29), a native of Tibet, told the police that he stole the idol because he wanted revenge from his former wife, who is the daughter of the Head Lama. Since the idol has immense religious significance in Arunachal Pradesh, any loss or damage to it would bring disrepute to the family.
Mr. Tsundue allegedly broke into the Head Lama’s house on May 31 and stole the idol. The family was in Kullu for a festival at the time of the theft, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Madhur Verma .
Mr. Tsundue came to Delhi to meet his live-in partner Lobsang Gakey Sherpa (26), a resident of Majnu Ka Tila. The couple decided to sell the idol in the Capital for ₹1.4 crore.
“They were trying to take the idol to Tibet to fetch a higher price,” said Mr. Verma.
The Delhi Police were informed about the theft on Sunday. Following a tip-off, the couple was trapped near a gurdwara in Majnu Ka Tila around 10.30 a.m.
“They were intercepted and their luggage searched. The idol was recovered from Mr. Tsundue’s bag,” said Mr. Verma.
The officer added that they had informed the Arunachal Pradesh Police about the recovery of the idol and the arrests.
“There was a lot of unrest in the State after the idol was stolen,” added the officer.