March 24, 2007
Bhojpur/Patna: One usually hears about high profile politicians with criminal cases against their name being out on bail.
But in Bihar even the Gods have to arrange for a bail to get back to the temple.
They say God can set you free. But in a police station in Bhojpur the roles have been reversed, for just a little while at least.
The people are rejoicing at having finally liberated the idols of Vishnu and Laxmi, which had been in police custody for the last three years.
“As per the court's orders they are being released. They had been stolen from a temple in Basantpurgram in 2004. The court has granted bail,” says police inspector, Sunil Kumar.
Hundreds of idols like these are under lock and key in police stations across Bihar. Most of them recovered from idol-smugglers looking to sell them abroad.
When a smuggler is caught and arrested, the idols are confiscated. And the liberty of the idols doesn't come cheap.
The disciples had to submit a two-and-a-half-lakh rupees bail bond to free the Vishnu and Laxmi idols.
“When an idol is stolen we submit an application to the court for it to be released. We have to submit a bond worth twice the cost of the idols,” says an advocate, Umakant Pandey.
There are many other idols awaiting release in Bihar. But if the disciples have their way, it won't be long before their deities regain their rightful places.
But in Bihar even the Gods have to arrange for a bail to get back to the temple.
They say God can set you free. But in a police station in Bhojpur the roles have been reversed, for just a little while at least.
The people are rejoicing at having finally liberated the idols of Vishnu and Laxmi, which had been in police custody for the last three years.
“As per the court's orders they are being released. They had been stolen from a temple in Basantpurgram in 2004. The court has granted bail,” says police inspector, Sunil Kumar.
Hundreds of idols like these are under lock and key in police stations across Bihar. Most of them recovered from idol-smugglers looking to sell them abroad.
When a smuggler is caught and arrested, the idols are confiscated. And the liberty of the idols doesn't come cheap.
The disciples had to submit a two-and-a-half-lakh rupees bail bond to free the Vishnu and Laxmi idols.
“When an idol is stolen we submit an application to the court for it to be released. We have to submit a bond worth twice the cost of the idols,” says an advocate, Umakant Pandey.
There are many other idols awaiting release in Bihar. But if the disciples have their way, it won't be long before their deities regain their rightful places.
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