Twelve rare ancient ‘Ashtadhatu’ idols stolen from Gopaljee Temple in Subarnapur 42 years ago and kept in CBI storehouse have been handed over to the district administration Wednesday.

After a brief ritual inside the Bhubaneswar court premises in the evening, officials began transporting the idols in special van under a thick security cordon to Subarnapur around 9pm. The news of the return of the idols has sparked joy in Subarnapur, where residents are eagerly waiting for the homecoming of the rare idols. Sources said Khurda Additional District Judge-III Himansu Sekhar Mallick ordered that the seized idols be returned to Gopaljee Temple. Following the order, Subarnapur Endowment Department initiated steps to bring them back Monday. SDJM Binod Bihari Sahu granted permission to formally han

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