Hyderabad police have rejected viral claims about a Ganesh idol installed by Leechee Pearls and Jewels in Feelkhana’s Begum Bazar, saying the widely circulated details about its gold coating, weight, diamond count and value were inaccurate and heavily exaggerated. The clarification came after social media posts and reports triggered public apprehension ahead of the Ganesh festivities.
Goshamahal Police intervened after messages, photographs and videos concerning the idol, identified online as the ‘Lee-Chee Ka Raja Ganesh – 2026’, spread widely. The claims stated that the idol was made of Panchaloha, weighed 48 kg, was coated with 24-carat gold and contained 3,83,800 American diamonds. Some reports also placed its value at Rs 4 crore.
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 information continued to circulate publicly through social media and other reports, prompting concern about possible law-and-order implications during the festival period.
The inspector warned the jewellery store management against publicity that could create public apprehension and place unnecessary pressure on law enforcement agencies. The police action highlights the operational challenge created when unverified claims about valuable objects or crowded religious events spread rapidly online.
Store proprietor Adar Agarwal said the situation had caused fear and raised serious security concerns for his family. He maintained that the store had not originally announced the exaggerated specifications and approached the Goshamahal police to correct the record. Agarwal also submitted a written complaint seeking police protection from potential threats.
The police urged citizens and social media users not to believe or forward unverified messages during the festival season. They appealed to the public to rely on information confirmed by the relevant authorities and institutions. The clarification issued by Goshamahal Police is the latest official response to the circulation of claims surrounding the idol in Begum Bazar.
