Date:06/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/06/stories/2006070616670900.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Theft of Nizam's slippers: another held

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Toronto police have arrested a second person in connection with the theft of the jewel-encrusted slippers worn by the Nizam, Sikandar Jha, from the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada. A Canadian website identified him as Mico Petric, (33).

The slippers, studded with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, are embroidered with gold and are valued at $160,000.

The slippers along with a toe ring and a gold anklet disappeared from the museum in March last. The museum offered a $25,000 reward for the return of the footwear. A customer who ordered prints of digital images of the slippers from a photo studio in Toronto, recognised the slippers. He surreptitiously shot a picture of the customer and passed it on to the police.

However, the slippers were found mysteriously in a bag across the street following a tip-off from an anonymous caller. Later, police arrested Filip Djukic, said the report on the website (Toronto.ctv.ca).

The Toronto police did not release details of the second arrest.