A set of items that once belonged to Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi were auctioned off for 1.8 million dollars in New York on Thursday.

Tony Bedi (bottom R) makes the winning bid, on behalf of Indian businessman VJ Mallya, for auction items belonging to Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi at Antiquorum Auctioneers, in New York March 5, 2009. Several items that belonged to revered Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi were sold for $1.8 million on Thursday despite a last minute bid by the seller to withdraw them from auction. [Xinhuanet.com via agencies]

The buyer was Indian liquor baron and Kingfisher Airlines chairman Vijay Mallya.

The auction went off despite the owner of the memorabilia, James Otis, saying he had decided not to sell the items in the light of the controversy it had generated.

"I never intended to create the controversy that this has created. I have decided not to sell Gandhi's items and I will request Antiquorum (the auctioneer) to call off the auction," Otishad told a press conference Thursday in New York, less than an hour before the items were due to go on the block.

The personal items auctioned were Gandhi's metal-rimmed glasses, pocket watch, a pair of sandals and a plate and bowl. The collection had a reserve price of between 20,000 dollars and 30,000 dollars.

Tony Bedi, a representative for winning bidder Vijay Mallya, who owns Kingfisher beer, speaks to the media after a controversial auction of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi's memorabilia in New York City. Gandhi's iconic round glasses, watch and other items sold for $1.8 million to Mallya, in spite of an order to cancel the sale by owner James Otis and an uproar in India. [Xinhuanet.com via agencies]

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2009)