The Tribune, January 28, 2005

Stolen antiques sale racket busted; 2 held

Sonepat, January 27
With the arrest of two persons, the CBI with the assistance of the Archaeological Survey of India, has unearthed a racket in north India involving sale of stolen antiques to foreign tourists. The arrested persons were identified as Safdar Ali (40) and his brother Yunus (25) and they belong to Kheri Gujjar village in this district.

Unique terracotta bricks, as old as the Kushan period dating back to the first century, bearing three human heads, terracotta seals and a soft stone headless statue of Lord Buddha were some of the 34 items seized by the CBI from a place close to Kheri Gujjar village of Sonepat district on Monday last. The value of the booty is estimated to be to the tune of Rs 1.25 crore. Acting on this tip-off, CBI officials accompanied by officials of the Archaeological Survey of India carried out a raid at the house of the both the suspects and seized the items . — OC