Fake Parashurama statue case: Sculptor arrested in Kerala

Sculptor Krishna Naik has been arrested by police in Kerala in connection with allegations of a fake Parashurama statue being installed at the Parashurama Theme Park in Bailoor.

Krishna Naik had applied for anticipatory bail in court, but the Udupi Additional District and Sessions Court rejected his bail plea on Thursday (Nov 7). Following the court’s decision, police intensified their search and successfully located and arrested Naik in Kozhikode, Kerala, where he was hiding.

Naik, the head of the organization “Krish Art World,” was contracted by the Udupi Nirmiti Kendra and received Rs. 1.25 crore for installing a bronze statue of Parashurama at the theme park. However, according to allegations by complainant Krishna Shetty of Nallur, Naik reportedly deceived authorities by installing a counterfeit statue instead of the promised bronze one. Shetty had filed the complaint in June, leading to a case being registered at Karkala Town Police Station.