CHENNAI: The Idol Wing of police have arrested the kingpin Deenadayalan (84) on Tuesday in connection with the smuggling of 285 idols from unprotected temples across the State.
Deenadayalan, the prime suspect of the recently busted idol smuggling racket, had surrendered on June 3 after the police issued notice asking him to appear before them.
The police had earlier seized idols and paintings (some more than 2000 years old) of antique value from three places, including his house in Alwarpet.
The Idol Wing, attached to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) which has been questioning him since June 3, arrested him formally on Tuesday. They have booked a case against him under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act and various sections of the IPC.
The police produced him before the second Metropolitan Magistrate, who later remanded him in judicial custody.
The police had earlier arrested Maan Singh (55), Rajamani (60) and Kumar (60) in connection with the same case for helping Deenadayalan. Deenadayalan, who was running an art gallery in Teynampet since 1995 had smuggled idols to New York and Australia with the help of a dealer in Mumbai.