(a) whether the Government is aware that smuggling of articles of utmost archeological importance is going on continuously and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is also aware that several illegal traders have their own websites and they openly auction artefacts brought stealthily; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government in this regard so far?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) Thirteen numbers of cases of theft of the antiquities have been reported from Centrally Protected Monuments of Archaeological Survey of India during last three years from 2015-2017 and current year upto 30th June, 2018 (Annexure I).
(b) to (c) No, Madam. At present, there is no such information available that illegal traders have their own websites for auction of artefacts. However, in the past a complaint related to online auction of a Jain idol by www.saffronart.com website came to light. The complaint was investigated by the CBI but could not be established.
ANNEXURE I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1957 FOR 30.07.2018
Statement giving details of State/U.T. wise theft of antiquities from Centrally Protected Monuments/Sites maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India for last three years from 2015-2017 and current year upto 30th June, 2018
Sl.
No. State Name of Monument/Sites/Place of origin Period, origin and historical value of the antiquities Date of theft Action taken/Present status
YEAR 2015
1. Karnataka Bhimesheshwara temple at Neelgunda, Harappanahalli Taluk, Davangere district, Karnataka Schist stone Yaksha sculpture dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 26.04.2015 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
2. Orissa Trivikrama (Locally called Bali Vamana) from the premises of Varahanatha temple, Jajpur, Orrisa Sculpture of Trivikrama (Locally called Bali dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 18.05.2015 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
3.
Karnataka Bhoganandiswara temple at Nand, Chikkaballapur Talkuk Chikkaballapur District, Karanatak Black stone kalsha dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 16.09.2015 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
4. Maharashtra (M.H.) Sculpture Shed, Aam Khas Gate, Daulatabad Fort, District-Aurangabad 11 antiquities dated 16th-17th century A.D. approx. 16.09.2015 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
5. Bihar Jain Temple, Vaibhar, Rajgir, Patna. Stone Sculpture dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 22 & 23.11.2015 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
6. Orrisa Bhairawa Ganesh and Kaumari form Chandrasekhar temple, Kapilas Sculpture dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 25/26.11.2015 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
YEAR 2016
7. Maharashtra Kasa Fort, district Raigad, Maharashtra Iron Canon (small size) dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 05.12.2015. F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
8. Rajasthan Ancient Ruins Kalyanpur, Distt. Udaipur Three Stone sculpture dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 3rd & 4th Feb. 2016. F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
9. Chhattisgarh Bhairavbaba Temple, Dantewada & Ruined Temple, Jiyapara, District South Bastar Dantewada, Chhattisgarh Two stone sculptures of Bhairava 6th & 7th July 2016 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
10. Andhra Pradesh Sri Kumaraarama Bhimeswara Swamy temple, Samalkot Mandal of East Godavari District Stone dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 24th & 25th November 2016 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
11. Karnataka Ramalingeswara temple complex Avani, Mulbagali taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka One stone Ganesha fixed on the open mandapa of Vigneswara Shrine dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 26th & 27th November 2016 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation
12. Andhra Pradesh Veerabhadra temple, Motupalle Chinaganjam Mandal, Prakasam dist. Andhra Pradesh Stone Nandi idol 12th & 13th December 2016. Recovered on 18.12.20 16
YEAR 2017
13. Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh Sri Anadavalli Ammavaru Temple, Parasurameshwara
Swamy Complex, Gudimallam, district Chitoor Nandi idol stone sculpture of Nandi dated 11th-12th century A.D. approx. 03.11.2017 F.I.R. lodged in respective police station and matter is under investigation