KATHMANDU: Police have seized a Buddha idol allegedly used by four persons for defrauding members of the public, from a hotel room in Gongabu of Kathmandu district on Tuesday.

The eight-foot sculpture was recovered after police received a tip-off that the gang was involved in fraudulent activities.

It has been learnt that the four persons including Dinesh KC of Dolakha had been staying in the hotel in possession of the idol, which they claimed to be of gold.

A police team deployed from the Lainchaur-based Metropolitan Police Circle, however, found that it was not gold after an examination.

The suspects, however, fled the scene and police have launched a manhunt.

Further investigation is underway.