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US returns 657 antiquities valued at nearly USD 14 million to India
The United States returned 657 antiquities, collectively valued at about USD 14 million, to India in a ceremony in New York. The handover followed long-running investigations into trafficking networks linked to Subhash Kapoor and Nancy Wiener, with several artifacts previously looted and smuggled across South Asia.
Why It Matters
The return underscores ongoing international cooperation to recover stolen cultural heritage and highlights the scale of antiquities trafficking networks and efforts to dismantle them.
Timeline
13 Events
ATU activity and global recoveries highlighted
April 30, 2026
The Antiquities Trafficking Unit states it has recovered more than 6,200 cultural treasures valued at more than USD 485 million and returned more than 5,900 of those to 36 countries.
Return of 657 antiquities to India announced
April 28, 2026
657 antiquities collectively valued at nearly USD 14 million were returned to India. The return was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, following investigations into trafficking networks linked to Subhash Kapoor and Nancy Wiener. The event was attended by Consul Rajlakshmi Kadam from the Consulate General of India in New York.
Ganesha statue surrendered to Manhattan DA’s Office
April 2026
The Ganesha statue purchased at Christie’s in 2012 was surrendered to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office earlier this year.
Avalokiteshvara statue seized from private collection
2025
The Avalokiteshvara bronze artifact was located and seized from the private New York collection by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in 2025.
Kapoor convicted in India; extradition pending
2022
Kapoor was convicted for his trafficking activities in India in 2022, and extradition to the United States remains pending.
Kapoor and co-defendants indicted
November 2019
In November 2019, Subhash Kapoor and seven co-defendants were indicted for conspiracy to traffic stolen antiquities.
Ganesha statue ends up in a New York private collection
2014
The Ganesha statue ended up in a private collection in New York by 2014.
Ganesha statue sold at Christie’s New York in 2012
2012
The Ganesha statue was purchased at the Christie’s New York auction in 2012 by a private collector.
Ganesha provenance and Christie’s sale
2012
Convicted trafficker Nancy Wiener created false provenance for the Ganesha statue, which was consigned to and sold at Christie’s New York in 2012.
Ganesha dancing statue looted from Madhya Pradesh temple
2000
A sandstone figure of a dancing Ganesha was looted from a temple in Madhya Pradesh in 2000 by Ranjeet Kanwar.
Avalokiteshvara stolen and smuggled to the United States
1982
The Avalokiteshvara bronze statue was stolen from the Raipur museum and smuggled into the United States by 1982.
Avalokiteshvara enters Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum collection
1952
The Avalokiteshvara statue entered the collection of the Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum, Raipur, by 1952.
Avalokiteshvara statue discovered in Raipur hoard
1939
One of the bronzes later identified as Avalokiteshvara was discovered as part of a large hoard of bronzes near the Lakshmana Temple in Raipur in 1939.