An Indian tycoon made his countrymen proud when he won the auction bid for the meager possessions of late political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi. The auction took place in New York and the tycoon paid $1.8 million.

Vijay Mallya, an airline and liquor business magnate, was identified as the winning bidder in this dramatic auction. He was represented by Tony Bedi during the auction.

Mallya basically won the worn leather sandals, plate, bowl, pocket watch and round glasses – all used by Gandhi. The winning bidder said that he will bring all the items back to India – where these belong.

The Indian government has opposed this auction, stating that it should be part of the country’s heritage in the first place. Gandhi is known for rejecting material wealth and selling of these items is construed by the government as an “insult.”

James Otis, a California-based documentary producer, is the owner of the items – being a Gandhi enthusiast himself. When the controversy broke, he surprised everyone in the auction house by wanting the sale to stop. However, the announcement came too late and auction house Antiquorum went ahead.

Otis then said that the auction is considered illegal thus causing a delay on the delivery of the goods to the winning bidder, due to legal proceedings.