PANJIM: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Mumbai Zone, handed over three antiquities that were seized from smugglers, to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Goa, at a function held at the Dharohar Museum, Panjim on Thursday.
The antiquities had been kept on display at the Dharohar, National Museum of Customs and GST, Panjim.
The event was held as part of a nation-wide programme in which 101 such antiquities and manuscripts seized from smugglers were handed over to the ASI at events held at seven locations across the country.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman virtually attended the event to witness handing over the seized items to the ASI.
At the event held at the Dharohar museum, Sunil Singh Bisht, Superintendent of the museum, handed over the antiquities to Dr Kishor Raghubans, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Goa.
Speaking at the event, Mayank Kumar, Chief Commissioner, Pune Zone – Central GST and Customs, said that all the antiquities and artifacts being seized by the Customs will eventually be handed over to the ASI.
“There are several such pieces still in the custody of the DRI but the legal proceedings related to their seizure are still on. Such items can’t be handed over to the ASI until the proceedings are over,” Kumar said.
Sunil Kumar Mall, Principal Additional Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Mumbai, said that the antiquities that were being handed over to the ASI Goa were seized by the DRI Mumbai in 2007. “It took several years to complete the legal proceedings related to the seized items. The antiquities were brought to Goa to be displayed at the Dharohar museum considering the security and safety aspects. Besides, it is also the National Museum of the Customs and GST.”
Dr Raghubans said that the antiquities will remain at the Dharohar museum for public display even though they had been handed over to the ASI.
The three antiquities handed over to the ASI were Uma-Maheshwara idol in sitting posture. Both Shiva and Parvati are depicted wearing a mukuta; idol of eight handed Lord Ganesha in dancing posture and an idol of four-handed deity Lalita, one of the forms of Goddess Parvati.
