(a) the number of incidents of thefts of antiques from protected monuments in the country during each of the last three years, State-wise;
(b) the estimated value of these antiques in the international market;
(c) whether some of them have been recovered;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the measures taken by the Government to prevent theft of antiques and their smuggling out of the country ?
MINISTER FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND CULTURE (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)
(a) There are twenty two incidents of thefts of antiques from centrally protected monuments in the country during last three years (Annexure-I).
(b) There is no available basis to estimate the value of antiques in the international market.
(c)&(d) Yes, Sir. Eight of them have been recovered (Annexure-II).
(e) In order to ensure the security and protection of the ancient sculptures, idols and artifacts, watch and ward staff have been deployed at centrally protected monuments, archaeological sites and museums. The security has been further supplemented by engagement of private security guards and the state police. The Government is also considering the amendment of the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972 to firmly deal with illicit traffic in antiquities.
ANNEXURE –I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1693 FOR DATED
4TH AUGUST, 2005.
STATEMENT SHOWING THE NUMBER OF THEFTS CASES FROM JULY 2002 TILL DATE(LAST THREE YEARS).
S.No. Name of Name of Monument Date of theft Status of the State / Sites & Case the District Description of the ObjectsANNEXURE –II
1.Tamil Nadu Jaina Temple, Mettupudar 21/22 July, 02 F.I.R. lodged. 5 Jaina Sculpture
2.Madhya Pradesh Bajramatch , Gyaraspur, 6/7 Aug. 02 F.I.R. lodged. Distt. Videsha Head of female
3.Tamil Nadu Apathsahey Wesuva Temple, 14/15 Nov. 02 F.I.R. lodged. Distt. Villupuram Stone Sculpture of dancing figure
4.Rajasthan Naudurga Temple, Jhalera 28/29 Aug. 02 F.I.R. lodged. Pattam, Distt. Jhalawar Stone image of female
5.Tamil Nadu Rock Cut Shiva Temple, 27/28 Jan. 03 F.I.R. lodged. Narthamali, Kulathur, Distt. Pudukkottai 4 Stone sculpture
6.Chattisgarh Deepadhi, Distt. Surguja,& 8 Jan., 03 & F.I.R. lodged. Duhara Tank, Rattanpur, 14 Jan. 03 Distt. Bilaspu 5 Stone Sculpture
7.Punjab Temple in Marad Khera, 19 Feb. 2003 F.I.R. lodged. Distt, Sangrur Lord Surya
8.Andhra Pradesh Shri Kapotesvaraswamy Temple, 11/12 March 03 F.I.R. lodged. Chejerla, Guntur, Distt. Guntur Sculpture of Nandi
9Maharastra Sri Desh , Ram Wari Opposity 20/21 June , 03 F.I.R. lodged. Joker Cinema, Kalyan Statue of Shri Girdhar Gopal
10.Tamil Nadu Jaina Temple , Trimalai, 24/25 Aug. 03 F.I.R. lodged. 2 Bronze statues
11.Karnatka Shri Janardhana swamy 19.9.03 F.I.R. lodged. DevathanaTemple, Kadur Taluk, Chikmangloor, 2 Pillars
12.Orissa Excavated site Udayagiri, 7/8, Nov. 03 F.I.R. lodged. Distt. Jajpur Buddha in Dhyammudra
13. Uttranchal 16/17 Dec. 03 F.I.R. lodged. LakhaMendal Temple Lakhamandal , Dehradun 5 Sculpture
14.Tamil Nadu Machukuinmdesava Temple, 11/12 Oct. 03 F.I.R. lodged. Kodumbalur, Distt. Pudukottai Sculpture of Varahi
15.Rajasthan Charkhamba Temple premises 21st April, 04 F.I.R. lodged. at ruined Krishna Vilas 2 Sculptures
16.J & K Bumzuva Cave, Distt. Anantnag 23/24 May, 04 F.I.R. lodged. Shiv Linga of stone
17.Tamil Nadu Alathur , Taluk Kulathur Distt. 6th Aug., 04 F.I.R. lodged. Pudakkottai Jaina Image
18.Madhya Pradesh Lanji Fort, Distt. Balaghat 21Aug. 04 F.I.R. lodged 2 Sculptures
19.Gujarat Sun Temple Modhera, 4th Aug. 04 F.I.R. lodged. Distt. Mehsana 2 Fragment sculptures
20.Andhra Pradesh Ruins of buried Jaina Temple 8/9 Sep. 04 F.I.R. lodged. Denavulapadu Village, Jammalamadugu Mandal Bust of Jainatirthankara
21.Rajasthan Ancient site Nagar, 12th Jan. 05 F.I.R. lodged. Distt. Tonk 7 Sculpture
22. Chattisgarh 22-23.6.05 on 29.6.05 Protected Site, Sirpur, Distt. Mahasamund, 1 stone Image of Hariti
S.No. Name of Name of Monument Description Date of theft Status of case State / Sites & the Objects the Districtof
1 Tamil Nadu Rock Cut Shiva 4 Stone 27/28 Jan. one recovered sculpture 2003 Temple, Narthamali, Kulathur, Distt. Pudukkottai
2.Maharastra Sri Desh , Ram Wari Statue of Shri 20/21 June , Recovered Opposity Joker Girdhar Gopal 2003 Cinema, Kalyan
3.Uttranchal Lakhamandal Temple, 5 Sculpture 16/17 Dec. Recovered Lakhamandal , Dehradun 2003
4.Tamil Nadu Machukuinmdesava Temple,Sculpture of 11/12 Oct. Recovered Kodumbalur, Distt. Varahi 2003 Pudukottai
5.J & K Bumzuva Cave, Distt. Shiv Linga of 23/24 May, Recovered Anantnag stone 2004
6.Tamil Nadu Alathur , Taluk KulathurJaina Image 6th Aug., Recovered Distt. Pudakkottai 2004
7.Gujarat Sun Temple Modhera, 2 Fragment 4th Aug. 2004 Recovered Distt. Mehsana sculptures
8.Chattisgarh Protected Site, Sirpur,1 stone Image 22-23.6.2005 Recovered Distt. Mahasamund, of Hariti