International Idol Smuggler Subhash Kapoor Convicted To Ten Years Rigorous Imprisonment

One of the most high-profile art smugglers and notorious antique dealer Subhash Kapoor was finally convicted by a trial court in Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu on Tuesday (1 November 2022).

Kapoor and five of his accomplices Sanjivi Asokan, Marichamy, Packiya Kumar, Sri Ram alias Ulagu and Parthiban were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the Udayarpalayam burglary and illegal export of 19 antique idols valued over Rs 94 crore to the Art of the Past Gallery, New York, USA.

Kapoor, a US national was arrayed as first accused in Udayarpalayam police station for his alleged involvement in burgling and illegally exporting 19 antique idols totally valued above Rs 94 crore to the Art of the Past Gallery, owned by him.

He was detained by German Police on October 30, 2011 at German Cologne Airport based on a Red Corner Notice issued by the Interpol. He was handed over to Idol Wing CID police, Chennai on July 13, 2012 at German Cologne Airport and extradited to India to face charges in the Udayarpalayam case.

He was remanded to Judicial Custody by the Judicial Magistrate, Jayankondam, Ariyalur district on July 14, and is currently lodged at Central Prison, Trichy.

Kapoor had illegally sold some of the stolen idols to various museums and private art collectors throughout the world. 'Subsequently, he was arrayed as an accused in 4 other idol theft cases which are pending for the concurrence of the Government of Germany to prosecute him in these cases also,' a release from the Idol Wing CID said.

He is facing trial in cases at Vikramangalam, Veeravanallur, Palvoor and Virudhachalam.

In the past, Kapoor filed not less than 7 bail applications and discharge petitions before the High Court and they were all dismissed. He had filed various applications before the trial court under one pretext or the other to delay the trial.

Kapoor had earlier filed a petition before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Kumbakonam in 2020. He appealed to recall and cross examine 17 prosecution witnesses.

This petition was dismissed by the court on December 3, 2020. However, he challenged the dismissal order in the High Court of Madras in 2021 seeking to set the order aside.

The prosecution had filed a counter affidavit. The matter which was pending before the Madurai Bench for a long time was recently heard and the request of Kapoor was dismissed.

Following this, the trial commenced at the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Kumbakonam, and all the accused in the case were convicted by Chief Judicial Magistrate D Shanmuga Priya on 1 November 2022.

Also read:

Bringing Back Our Gods: US Returns 307 Smuggled Antiquities Worth $4 Million

How India Pride Project Helped the Return Of Looted Indian Artefacts from The United States

With inputs from PTI