PRAYAGRAJ, March 19 -- The Allahabad High Court has directed that a recently discovered Jain idol-unearthed during construction for an overhead water tank in Etah on June 22-be placed in the custody of the Allahabad Museum in Prayagraj for safekeeping and study.

The idol, believed to date back to the 9th-10th century, has become the subject of competing claims by both Digambar and Shwetambar sects of the Jain community.

A bench comprising Justice Ajit Kumar and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi ruled that once the idol is transferred, the museum must display it for public viewing. Simultaneously, it has been directed to constitute a team of experts, in coordination with the Archaeological Survey of India, to conduct a detailed study to deter...