(a) whether the CBI had conducted raids in several parts of the country recently and recovered wealth and precious ancient brass idols worth crores of rupees;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the ancient idols were being smuggled; and
(d) if so, the action taken/proposed to be taken against those found guilty in the regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS, MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF ATOMIC ENERGY AND SPACE. (SMT.VASUNDHARA RAJE)
(a) to (d): In course of a Special Drive, carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation on 8th November 2002, it raided a house in New Friends Colony, New Delhi and registered a case against two persons after recovering four precious bronze idols, and learning that they intended to smuggle the idols, claiming them as non-antiques.