California: Missing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue found in US scrapyard

The only statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in North America stolen from a park in Californias San Jose city last month has been found in a scrapyard known for illegal activities a media report saidThe statue given to the city as a gift from Pune San Joses sister city in India in 1999 was reported stolen on January 31 from Guadalupe River Park sawed off at the hooves The Mercury News newspaper reportedThe approximately 200 kgs figurine was found in a metal scrapyard on February 9 which according to the report has been cited numerous times for illegal activity including a 2021 catalytic converter theft crackdown a 2010 scheme to scam the state out of USD 1 million and a 2007 police sting to retrieve stolen metalsPolice retrieved the structure after being notified of its location and interviewed the employees of the scrapyard However no arrests were madeThe workers without giving much detail said that two men and one woman came to drop off the sculpture on January 29 according to the reportAlso Read India will need 2210 new planes in next two decades BoeingPresident of the San JosePune sister city organisation Suneel Kelkar said he was elated to have the sculpture recovered but questioned its reinstallation given that its legs were cut offWe are so pleased to have the statue back San Joses International Affairs Manager Joe Hedges was quoted as saying in the reportI hope it is in a condition where it can be reinstalled and enjoyed by our citizens he addedThis statue holds incredible value to our Indian community embracing our shared pride and respect for the warriorruler Shivaji and our relationship with our sistercity Pune San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan was quoted as saying in the reportThis is the second time the statue of the Maratha ruler has been stolen and recoveredIt was stolen from a home residence months after being brought to San Jose and was later discovered by a jogger on a city trail The statue was installed by the city in 2002 according to the reportThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever