India has welcomed the decision of the national art museum of Australia to return the collection of 14 artworks to India, including bronze and stone sculptures, a painted scroll and photographs.
India has welcomed the decision of the national art museum of Australia to return the collection of 14 artworks to India, including bronze and stone sculptures, a painted scroll and photographs.
The artworks were believed to have been stolen or illegally exported to the country through the smuggling racket allegedly operated by incarcerated art dealer Subhash Kapoor.
The art collection being returned to India is worth about $2.2 million (Rs 16.3 crore).
The artefacts include a brass processional standard, a painted scroll, six sculptures and six photographs, some of which date back to the 12th century.
Minister of State for Culture Meenakashi Lekhi took to Twitter to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his concerted efforts, due to which 14 stolen Indian heritage objects are being repatriated.
I take this opportunity to thank Hon’ble PM for the concerted efforts Due to which 14 stolen Indian heritage objects are being repatriated. , and , https://t.co/Wbc4Z6Wj6p
— Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi)Indian High Commissioner to Australia, Manpreet Vohra, welcomed the decision to send back the stolen artefacts that were purchased from Subhash Kapoor.
Earlier, too, Australia has returned artworks it has purchased from Kapoor's Art of the Past of gallery.
In total, 22 artefacts were bought by Australia from him.
Only three artefacts remain with the National Gallery of Australia, with 13 ready to be shipped back to India and others being returned on different occasions earlier.
Kapoor, who was arrested in India in 2012, is still undergoing trial. He has been accused of operating a global smuggling ring for artefacts.