[MSN] Insider job? The theft of the rare 400 year old handwritten Quran that was stolen from Sri Pratap Singh Museum in 2003, is believed to have been facilitated by museum insiders in lieu of monetary benefits, sources say. The case is currently under investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

     Theft of rare manuscript an insider job?  	  PDF 
<http://etalaat.net/english/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=3513> 
	Print 
<http://etalaat.net/english/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3513&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=1> 
	E-mail 
<http://etalaat.net/english/index2.php?option=com_content&task=emailform&id=3513&itemid=1> 


*Wasim Khalid*
*Srinagar Nov:* The theft of the rare 400 year old handwritten Quran 
that was stolen from Sri Pratap Singh Museum in 2003, is believed to 
have been facilitated by museum insiders in lieu of monetary benefits, 
sources say. The case is currently under investigation by Central Bureau 
of Investigation

According to the sources, a Middle East citizen visited the museum in 
2003 and offered two crore rupees for the rare manuscript.
"Incidentally it was after seven days of this offer that the holy book 
of historical significance was stolen from the museum," an official 
said, wishing not to be named.
The holy manuscript believed to be written by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb 
is regarded as one of the classic art remains of the Mughal era in 
Kashmir. It was kept in the safety of 109 year old Sri Pratap Singh 
Museum at Lal Mandi in Srinagar.
Aurangzeb had used pure gold, saffron and vermilion to write the Quran 
on rare homemade Kashmir paper in beautiful calligraphy.
After an initial probe by the Jammu Kashmir Department of Archives, 
Archaeology and Museums, a case was filed at the local police station. 
However the police failed to trace the culprits.
The source revealed that on the day, the theft occurred, two employees 
stationed in the museum were absent from their duties.
Suspecting their hand in the burglary the museum authorities suspended 
the duo “until the case was solved”, he added.
The needle of suspicion also pointed to then museum curator, who 
according to sources was closely related to a Goa-based antique dealer.
"But the department has not taken any firm action against him and 
instead he has been transferred to Jammu."
Source said the whole staff stationed at the museum is under the scanner.
The increment of the entire staff in the museum has been stopped, as a 
punishment.
Commissioner Secretary Higher and Technical Eductaion, Parmod Jain 
referred the case to the CBI.
Meanwhile Director Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology 
and Museums, Khursheed Ahmad Qadri said the investigations are still on.
He confirmed that increment of the employees at museum has been stopped 
following the government orders and that two employees of the museum 
have been suspended.
Qadri declined to comment in detail on the issue.
The museum had recently been placed on the UNESCO watch list, indicating 
that it would soon be designated a repository of rich cultural heritage.

http://etalaat.net/