Jun 21 2017 : The Times of India (Chennai)
Smuggling of idols: Advance bail plea of accused opposed
Saravanan L1
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Madurai
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Opposing the anticipatory bail petition of Sharad Kumar Dugar, who has been on the run in a case pertaining to the smuggling of idols worth several crores of rupees abroad, the state's public prosecutor argued before the Madurai bench of the Madras high court that custodial interrogation is a must for him.In his petition, Dugar said that he apprehended arrest at the hands of the inspector general of police, idol wing, criminal investigation department, A G Pon Manickavel.
According to the petitioner, he is alleged to have been involved in idol theft and trafficking even as all the accused were already arrested and enlarged on bail, while the case itself is pending trial in a lower court. At this stage, police are attempting to apprehend him though he has not committed any offence as alleged by the police, he said.
On Tuesday , when the case came up for hearing, the public prosecutor (PP) R Rajarathinam argued that eight people were already arrested in the idol smuggling case and a chargesheet was tabled before the trial court in Srivilliputtur.
During trial, in the said case, it came to the notice of the newly-appointed officer Pon Manickavel that the accused who were involved in the idol smuggling case suppressed the information regarding exporting of about 20 idols, including the 1,000-year old panchaloha idol of Nataraj from Tirunelveli, with the active connivance of former investigation officers of the case.
Based on it, the investigation wing obtained a court order to hold further investigation in the case which revealed that five more people were involved in the smuggling of idols abroad, among whom the petitioner, based in Delhi, played a key role and has been on the run.
If he is given advance bail, the investigation would be put into peril. Hence, he should not be given anticipatory bail and it is necessary for police to take him under their custody , the PP said. As the petitioner's side wanted to adjourn the case to argue, the court adjourned it to June 29 for further hearing by extending interim advance bail granted to Dugar, till then.
According to the petitioner, he is alleged to have been involved in idol theft and trafficking even as all the accused were already arrested and enlarged on bail, while the case itself is pending trial in a lower court. At this stage, police are attempting to apprehend him though he has not committed any offence as alleged by the police, he said.
On Tuesday , when the case came up for hearing, the public prosecutor (PP) R Rajarathinam argued that eight people were already arrested in the idol smuggling case and a chargesheet was tabled before the trial court in Srivilliputtur.
During trial, in the said case, it came to the notice of the newly-appointed officer Pon Manickavel that the accused who were involved in the idol smuggling case suppressed the information regarding exporting of about 20 idols, including the 1,000-year old panchaloha idol of Nataraj from Tirunelveli, with the active connivance of former investigation officers of the case.
Based on it, the investigation wing obtained a court order to hold further investigation in the case which revealed that five more people were involved in the smuggling of idols abroad, among whom the petitioner, based in Delhi, played a key role and has been on the run.
If he is given advance bail, the investigation would be put into peril. Hence, he should not be given anticipatory bail and it is necessary for police to take him under their custody , the PP said. As the petitioner's side wanted to adjourn the case to argue, the court adjourned it to June 29 for further hearing by extending interim advance bail granted to Dugar, till then.
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