The red sandstone figure of Buddha standing with his right hand raised in ‘abhaya mudra’, a gesture of protection. The $7.5-million statue was smuggled into New York by antiquities trafficker Subash Kapoor. Photo: Special Arrangement

U.S. authorities have announced the return of 657 antiquities, collectively valued at nearly $14 million, to India. The pieces were recovered pursuant to several ongoing investigations into criminal trafficking networks, including those of alleged antiquities trafficker Subash Kapoor and convicted trafficker Nancy Wiener.

The artefacts were returned at a ceremony attended by Consul General of India Rajlakshmi Kadam in New York.

Published – April 29, 2026 02:35 pm IST