A Thiruvananthapuram-based courier firm has come under the scanner for allegedly aiding in smuggling antiques from Mumbai to Chennai via Thiruvananthapuram.

According to sources, idols that went missing from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were found to be transported to Chennai through the courier firm. Following this information, a police team has rushed to Kerala for further investigations. The revelation comes a few days after seizure of hundreds of idols and paintings from a house in Alwarpet here.

The sculptures mostly belong to the Hoysala period. Meanwhile the State HR&CE Department has asked all the temples in Tamil Nadu to file reports on missing idols.

It may be noted that the case caught the attention after the Idol wing of the CID seized around 150 idols during a raid in a house for two consecutive days. The owner of the house, Deenadayalu, surrendered later in the court.