According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jagadish Pokhrel, CIB Police arrested the five, including the seller Dawa Lama 46 of Gaama-7, Solukhumbu following a tip-off. The police had been keeping an eye on Dawa for the last seven days. He had been waiting for a customer who would pay him the most attractive price. [break]
The other four arrested are Krishna Khatri, 52 from Banepa-5 of Kavrepalanchowk, Uttar Kumar Rai, 40, from Baku-5 of Solukhumbu, Dal Bahadur Rai, 35, from Jubin-2 of Solukhumbu and Santosh Rai, 25, from Nechha-6 of Solukhumbu. They had already paid Rs 10,000 in advance for the statue.
According to the police, the four had been plotting to loot the statue instead of paying Dawa the promised Rs 400,000. They were planning then to sell off the statue at a handsome price.
The Department of Archeology has confirmed that the statue has archeological and cultural value and is made up of copper. Police said that the arrested may be fined up to Rs 25,000 or be sentenced to five years in jail as per the Ancient Monument Preservation Act 2013, Nepal.
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