6 Mar 2009

Auctioned Ghandi items to be returned to India

9:57 pm on 6 March 2009

A leading Indian businessman has paid $US1.8 million for a pair of spectacles and other belongings of India's independence leader Mahatma Gandhi.

The auction took place during chaotic scenes at a New York auction house.

Just before bidding got under way, the owner - a collector from California - said he was withdrawing the items from sale because of opposition from India.

But the auction went ahead and the winning bidder, Vijay Mallya, says he intends to return the items to India.