Raipur, Sept 14: Hands, which were once raised to commit crimes, are now giving shape to idols of Ganesh at Raipur central jail.

Hemant Kumar, sentenced for life for a murder he committed five years ago, has brought this divine change on jail premises.

While, the person responsible for the idol’s bright colours, Deepak Kumar, is also a lifer.

“The inmates have been creating for the past two years. But, this year they started to sell them commercially,” said deputy inspector-general of police (jail) P.D. Verma while talking to The Telegraph.

Around 12-odd inmates are also helping Hemant and Deepak, he added.

According to jail staff, Deepak Kumar was a good painter who had previously designed some good art pieces on jail premises.

Since the idols cost less, people are thronging the stall set up outside the jail to purchase one.

Interestingly, the person manning the stall — Benu — is also a murder convict.

According to Verma, the jail authorities would give all possible assistance to the inmates in promoting their art.

After seeing the response this year, the department may decide to put a bigger stall from next year, he added.