CHENNAI: A Tamil film producer and director V Sekar who runs a production company — Thiruvalluvar Kalaikoodam — was arrested on Wednesday, by the Idol Wing, Economic Offences Wing for suspected role in an idol smuggling racket.
The racket was to try and sell eight idols stolen from three temples — two from Tiruvannamalai and one from Kancheepuram districts.
Sources said the eight antique idols were recovered in May after a small-time production manager was arrested. The seizure by the Idol Wing was a major haul in the last five years.
Dhanalingam, the film production manager, had dropped a couple of names during the quizzing, and two more were arrested. Based on sustained questioning, the team zeroed in on Sekar.
Sources said Idol Wing DIG Ponn Manickavel was hunting for four more persons who were believed to have played an active role in this racket. They include a college student as well. Sekar is the fourth to be arrested in this connection. Sekar has made several blockbusters including Varavu Ettana Selavu Pathana, Kaalam Maari Pochu, Pongalo Pongal, Ellame En Pondattithaan, Viralukketha Veekkam, Koodi Vazhanthal Kodi Nanmai, Veettoda Mappillai, and Aalukkoru Aasai.
On June 17, 2015, four antique idols — Perumal, Sridevi, Boodevi, and Sakkarathalvar — were returned to Prasanna Venkateshwara Perumal temple in Paiyur village from where it had vanished earlier this year. On June 26, 2015, three more idols of Perumal, Sridevi and Boodevi, were returned to the Athi Kesava Perumal temple in Soundaryapuram, Vandavasi taluk.