2 held in Tamil Nadu for trying to sell antique emerald 'lingam'

Thanjavur: Two persons were arrested near Kumbakonam in the district for allegedly trying to sell an antique emerald lingam valued at around Rs 50 lakhs, police said on Thursday.

Based on a tip-off, the idol wing police detained the accused, Kaliyamoorthy (70) and N Vijayaragavan (37) both from Kurichi village, on Wednesday, when they had gone to sell the 'Maragathalingam' to another person at Govindapuram, they said.

IGP idol wing CID, AG Ponmanikavel in his press release said that they had information that efforts were being made to sell an antique 'Maragadalingam,' following which they intercepted the duo and seized the same.

As the duo had no supporting documents for the idol, they were arrested, he said.

Both were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Kumbakonam, which remanded them to judicial custody.

Later, they were lodged in Tiruchi Central Prison.