Two idols lost from Nepal returned by British police

The British government has handed over two of the ancient statues that disappeared from Nepal in the 1980s and 1990s to Nepal.

The statue was handed over to Nepali Ambassador to UK Gyan Chandra Acharya by the British Police during a special ceremony held at the Nepali Embassy in London on Friday.

In the 16th century, an artistic pylon carved out of wood disappeared from Kumari Bahal, Hanumandhoka, Kathmandu. Similarly, in the 18th century, a stone statue in the Namaste posture on a carved knee was lost from the Manjushri temple at Ombahal in Kathmandu.

According to the British government's policy of returning the idols to their rightful owners with the help of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the security agencies, the lost idols were recovered and handed over to Nepal.

At the handover ceremony, Ambassador Acharya expressed his gratitude to the British Government and the Police on behalf of the Government of Nepal and hoped for continued support in the future as well.

Detective Superintendent John Roach, speaking on behalf of the British police, said he was "delighted" to have the antiquities recovered.

Deputy Chief of Mission Roshni Khanal informed that arrangements have been made to send the handed over statues to the Archaeological Survey of Nepal soon.

Dr. Emiline Smith, Professor of Criminology at the University of Glasgow, said she was proud to be involved in the return of cultural objects to Nepal.