A Study On The Judiciary Approach In Curbing Illicit Trafficking Of Cultural Property In Tamil Nadu Temples
- IJLLR Journal
- May 24
- 1 min read
Vijayaraghavan K, LLM, School of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Administration, Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, School of Excellence, Taramani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
ABSTRACT
This article explores the contribution done by the judiciary in securing the trafficked idols and its repatriation back to India. It also brings into limelight the contributions done by the enforcement agencies for bring the culprits before the justice. The effectiveness of domestic laws and International Treaties were also analyzed for curtailing illicit trafficking of artifacts, inorder to preserve the cultural treasures of the temples as its specks about the culture of the society. The supply chain of illicit antiquities relies heavily on weak domestic monitoring at heritage sites, corrupt transit pipelines, and lack of attentiveness at international art forum. Looters exploit undocumented rural shrines and temples that lack basic security or digital inventories. Once stolen, idols are fitted with fraudulent provenance papers and fake export certificates to pass through customs check-points undetected. They ultimately enter prestigious galleries, private collections, and online auction platforms under the guise of legal acquisitions. This article also evaluates the lapses in legislative provision at domestic law which creates a gap for exploitation of cultural artifacts into the transnational countries museum, gallery and auction centre.
Keywords: Tamil Nadu; transnational organised crime; idol; artefacts; temple; trafficking.
