In a surprising incident, Delhi Police have lodged an FIR against a 46-year-old teacher associated with Ashoka University, accusing him of stealing a replica of the famed “Dancing Girl” statue from the National Museum on Janpath road. The theft was flagged when a CISF head constable noticed the artefact was missing from the gallery. 

Museum staff were alerted immediately, and the individual was identified, detained, and the replica was recovered. While in custody, he was granted bail but remains bound to appear before investigators as needed. The FIR is registered under sections 305(e) (theft in protected places) and 317(2) (handling stolen property) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. 

The accused claimed that he had purchased certain artefacts at the museum and inadvertently kept the replica in his bag. Meanwhile, Ashoka University has acknowledged awareness of the case and announced it will conduct its own inquiry.