Arrival of Gandhi belongings in India will take some time
By ANIMonday, March 16, 2009
NEW DELHI - The five personal belongings of Mahatma Gandhi that were auctioned off in New York on February 5, is likely to take some more time to reach India as the government is yet to solve the legalities involved with the US Justice Department.
“Government is still pursuing with its earlier stand that the auction is illegal as per the will of Gandhi and the injunction of Delhi High Court with US Justice Department,” a senior official in the Culture Ministry said.
The official further clarified that Gandhi possessions will enjoy freedom from import duty in India.
Despite the government’s intervention to stop the sale, the belongings of Gandhi were auctioned at Antiquorum Auctioneer in New York last month. Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijay Mallya emerged as the highest bidder at 1.8 million dollars.
However, Mallya was unable to possess the Gandhi memorabilia due to several legal hindrances.
