CBI recovers 81 antiques from bizman's residence

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday claimed to have seized over 81 stolen antique statues from the residential building in East Patel Nagar.

It was alleged that certain antique sculptures of various deities and other articles were acquired illegally through fake registration certificates, after which action was taken by the agency.

On the basis of a tip-off, the agency searched the premises of a person, identified as Subodh Dalal, who allegedly kept these statues, which were recovered from various excavation sites.

According to CBI, these antiquities were allegedly stolen from unknown places of historical importance as well as archaeological excavation sites.

The CBI conducted a surprise check and recovered 81 artifacts, suspected to be antiquities, from the premises of accused. The CBI has booked Dalal and other unidentified people and seized all the statues.

The evaluation of the statues is going on. CBI further claimed a case was registered under sections 14 r/w 25 of Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 and Section 411 and 414 of IPC.