The Idol Wing-CID has arrested three men and seized a stolen metal Amman idol, suspected to be stolen, while foiling an alleged idol smuggling bid near Kancheepuram.

Acting on a tip-off, a special team led by Inspector G. Umarani of the Idol Wing-CID, Kancheepuram Range, conducted a surveillance near Thimmarajan Pettai bus stop in Walajabad Taluk on the evening of June 24.

At around 6.30 p.m., the police noticed three men at the bus stop, one of whom was carrying a cloth bag. The trio attempted to flee on seeing the police but were chased down and apprehended.

On searching the bag, they found the Amman idol, measuring 30.5 cm in height and 16 cm in width, and weighing about 2.3 kg.

The suspects failed to produce the documents for lawful possession of the idol, and preliminary inquiries suggest it was stolen from a temple in Tamil Nadu.

The arrested have been identified as Premkumar, 33, of Chengalpattu, Purushothaman, 33, of Chengalpattu, and Vignesh, 36, of Kancheepuram. Further investigation is under way to identify the temple