Mysuru/Nanjangud: Biligere Police in Nanjangud taluk near Mysuru have arrested famous city-based sand artist M. Gowri on charges of idol theft. The complaint was filed by Tahsildar on Wednesday and she was later released on bail.

Gowri was arrested on charges of theft under the provisions of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act for allegedly taking away an idol of Veerabhadreshwara — a property of Muzrai Department — from Biligere village near Nanjangud. 

According to Biligere Police, Gowri, who runs a sand museum on Chamundi Hill Road, had visited the village on June 30 and allegedly took away the ancient three-feet tall idol from a place of worship located at a field in front of Someshwara Temple in Hariharapura, near Biligere. Following this, villagers informed the Tahsildar about the missing idol.

The Tahsildar later filed a Police complaint and the Police team, led by Sub-Inspector Akash, visited Jal Bagh on KRS Road, on the outskirts of the city and seized the rare antique sculpture. 

A case has been filed against Gowri under Section 378 of IPC, for theft. During inquiry, she stated that she had brought the idol to hand it over to the Archaeology Department as it was lying neglected in the field, the Police said. The Police identified the movement of a car in the village and zeroed in on Gowri. 

Local residents said that there is an ancient Someshwara Temple near the hillock between Hariharapura and Iggali. When Cholas were ruling these parts, Ganiga community members — oil extractors — were residing there and the idols and other sculptures belonged to them. Many such ancient art works could be found there, they added.

Misunderstanding?

Gowri, along with her sister M.N. Neelambika has set up a sand sculpture museum and has a collection of over 100 artworks. Meanwhile, Gowri met Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar and has submitted a letter stating that she had found the ancient sculpture and wanted to hand it over to the Government as per the guidelines of the Treasure Trove Act, 1878. Due to some misunderstanding the Police have filed a case against her, she stated.