A set of artefacts that once belonged to Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi sold for 1.8 million dollars, despite attempts to halt the auction in New York early today, according to dpa. Gandhi's iconic round-rimmed spectacles, a 1910 silver Zenith pocket watch, sandals, a bowl, a "thali" (plate) and letters of authenticity were bought by an Indian bidder. Tony Bedi placed the winning bid for purchaser Vijay Mallya, the flamboyant chairman of India's biggest liquor business and Kingfisher Airlines, in a packed room at New York's Antiquorum Auctioneers, following protests in India and an injunction from a New Delhi court seeking to halt the sale. California-based owner James Otis tried to withdraw the items at the last minute. But the auction house said the sale was legal.
