India says Gandhi items belong to Trust, auction is illegal

New Delhi, Mar 20 (PTI) Dispelling doubts over the
ownership rights of Mahatma Gandhi's memorabilia which went
under the hammer in New York, India has told the US government
that these articles belong to the Navjivan Trust and their
auction was illegal.

Responding to the US Justice Department's queries, a
senior cultural affairs ministry official said, "there has
been no change in our stand and we have reiterated that these
Gandhi articles belong to the Navjivan Trust and the auction
is illegal."

US Justice Department had raised queries to the Indian
government about the auctioned items of Gandhi. Industrialist
Vijay Mallya won the bid for USD1.8 million. However, he could
not acquire them because of the legalities involved with the
auction.

The items on sale were Gandhi's metal-rimmed glasses,
a pocket watch, a brass plate, a bowl and a pair of sandals
used by the Mahatma.

"We have responded to the queries through the Ministry
of External Affairs and we have maintained that all these
items are owned by the Navjivan Trust, founded by Gandhi
himself.

"No one has the right to utilise it for commercial
purpose including auctioning or sale," he said.

Delhi High Court had issued an interim injuction in
the first week of this month against the auction on the plea
of the Navjivan Trust.

"The US administration has to (now) decide on the
issue," said the cultural affairs ministry official, adding,
"our future course of action depends upon its decision."

India is also considering to move courts in other
countries seeking advance injunctions against any such sale of
Gandhi items, officials said. PTI ARU
RAI
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