The Allahabad High Court has directed that a Jain idol discovered during construction work in Etah be placed under the custody of the Allahabad Museum in Prayagraj, while also ordering a detailed expert examination to determine its historical and sectarian identity.
The idol, believed to date back to the 9th or 10th century, was unearthed on June 22 last year during the construction of an overhead water tank. Since its discovery, it has become the subject of competing claims between the Digambar and Shwetambar sects of the Jain community.
A bench comprising Justices Ajit Kumar and Swarupama Chaturvedi passed the order on March 17, directing the district administration to ensure the idol’s secure transfer. The court said that, given its historical significance, the idol must be preserved under proper conditions at the Central Museum in Prayagraj.
In its order, the court stated, “Considering the historical importance of the idol recovered, we in the first instance direct for its safe custody in the Central Museum at Prayagraj,” and instructed the District Magistrate of Etah to ensure that the idol is safely transported and handed over to the museum authorities by April 11.
The court further directed that once the idol is placed in the museum, it should be made available for public viewing.
To resolve the dispute over its origins and religious affiliation, the High Court has ordered the formation of a team of experts in coordination with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This panel will conduct a comprehensive study to determine the idol’s character, period, and sectarian association.
The bench has also set a timeline for the exercise, asking the expert committee to submit its findings within three months from the date the idol is deposited at the museum.
