12 century idol missing from Indian Heritage Site found in London

12th-century priceless marble idol of Brahma and his consort Brahmani, which was stolen from Gujarats Patan in 2001 was found in London in possesion of an individual who wanted to sell it.

The idol has been retrieved from London after a wait of over 16 years, officials have said.

"The latest arrival, Brahma-Brahmani, reached Delhi on December 22 from London. We have kept it in the ASI’s (Archaeological Survey of India) Purana Qila museum for now and also have written to the Baroda circle of ASI to take it back after making adequate safety arrangements there for this priceless antiquity," said DN Dimri, ASI's director of antiquities, New Delhi.

According to ASI officials, the Brahma-Brahmani idol was stolen from the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Rani-ki-Vav (bathing place of the queen) in Patan in November 2001 and smuggled out of the country.

"The Brahma-Brahmani idol was found to be in the possession of an individual in London who had advertised it to sell it. Someone in London identified the idol in the advertisement and informed the Indian high commission there about this illegally acquired antiquity," an ASI official said