Missing antique bell still haunts Shimla Police

The antique bell stolen from the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), Shimla in 2010 continue to haunt the police. The 100 kg bell - installed in front of the IIAS reception - was stolen despite the presence of a dozen regular watchmen and a round the clock guard.Sources said at least eight people were guarding the institute when the theft took place.

The bell which was used as a dinner gong by the Britishers, was stolen on April 22, 2010. The said was gifted by the Raja of Nepal to the then Viceroy of India in year 1903 which was having huge monetary aesthetic and historical implication of national importance.

Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Principal Secretary (Home), Director General of Police, Superintendent of Police and SHO Boileauganj police station for having failed to trace the antique bell. The court has also directed the authorities to file the reply within a week.

Division Bench comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan passed these orders on a writ petition filed by IIAS with the prayer to hand over the investigation of the case to the CBI.

The institute had lodged a complaint with the local police who after investigation on April 30, 2013 prepared untraced report and same was sent to the Court of Judicial Magistrate for further orders with the submission that despite best efforts made by the police to recover the stolen antique bell and nab the culprits but no clue ascertained.

The matter was listed before the JMIC 1st Class on July 6,2015 whereby the Court directed the SHO, Boilleaugang to re-investigate the case by police not below the rank of Sub-Inspector. Feeling aggrieved and dis-satisfied from the investigation so conducted by the state police, the petitioner institution approached the High Court with the prayer to hand over the investigation to the CBI.

The matter will be listed before the court on September 11, 2015 for further hearing.