The five idols kept at the icon centre in Tiruvarur were found to be fake ones during the ongoing inspection carried out by the idol wing of the police and experts of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), reports Times of India.

The idol wing CID police and experts from the ASI headed by regional director M Nambirajan reportedly carried out an inspection to determine the antique quality of the idols.

"Of the nine idols brought from Pullamangai Pasupatheeshwar temple located near Tanjavur, five were not ancient ones but replaced with modern replicas," IG Pon Manickavel was quoted as saying by TOI.

"Those responsible for the crime would be booked and punished. The idols have been poorly maintained, but that is the case not just in Tiruvarur but in many other temples as well,".

TOI reports that a total of 4,359 idols have been preserved safely at the icon centre in Tiruvarur. Of these, the antique value and quality of 1,897 idols have been ascertained so far.