Hyderabad police clarify viral claims over ‘gold-coated’ Ganesh idol

Viral claims about a Ganesh idol installed by a Hyderabad jewellery store, including its alleged gold coating, weight and diamond count, triggered apprehension and police intervention. Goshamahal Police clarified the claims and urged citizens to avoid circulating unverified information during the festival

Hyderabad: A social media frenzy over a Ganesh idol installed by Leechee Pearls and Jewels in Feelkhana, Begum Bazar, has triggered apprehension and the spread of unverified claims, prompting police intervention and a subsequent clarification.

The controversy erupted after posts on social media and reports in news outlets went viral claiming that the ‘Lee-Chee Ka Raja Ganesh – 2026’ idol was made of Panchaloha, weighed 48 kg, was coated with 24-carat gold and studded with 3,83,800 American diamonds. Some reports valued the idol at Rs 4 crore.

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Anticipating potential law-and-order issues during the Ganesh festivities, Goshamahal Police issued a clarification, stating that the claims about the idol were inaccurate and heavily exaggerated.

Goshamahal Inspector B Shravan Kumar said the management of Leechee Pearls and Jewels had clarified that it had not made any such exaggerated claims or announcements.

However, the claims were circulated publicly through social media posts, photographs and videos. The Inspector warned the jewellery store management against publicity that could create public apprehension and put unnecessary pressure on law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, store proprietor Adar Agarwal said he was gripped by fear as the situation escalated. He clarified that the store had not originally announced the exaggerated specifications and said the viral publicity had raised serious safety concerns.

Fearing for his family’s security following the widespread circulation of the claims, Agarwal said he approached the Goshamahal police to correct the record and submitted a written complaint seeking police protection from potential threats.

The police appealed to citizens and social media users not to believe or forward unverified messages and urged the public to rely on verified information during the festival season.