(a) whether the Government is aware that several priceless bronze statues have been stolen from the Patna museum recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to locate the missing statues and also to prevent recurrence of such incidents ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE ( SMT. AMBIKA SONI )
(a) : Yes, Sir.
(b) : As per reports received from the State Government, it was noticed on 26th September, 2006, when the Museum was opened for the public, that 18 bronze idols were missing. The stolen idols belonged to Pala period (between 9th to 12th century A.D.).
(c): The State Government of Bihar has handed over the case of theft in Patna Museum to the Central Bureau of Investigation on 27th September, 2006. In this connection three persons have been arrested and 17 idols, out of 18 stolen bronze idols, 2 from Kolkata and 15 from a village in Nalanda District, Bihar have been recovered. The State Government of Bihar has been asked to review and improve the security arrangement of all museums and monuments, which house priceless and rare antiques.