I bid Gandhi's memorabilia on my own: Vijay Mallya

New Delhi/New York, Mar 6 (ANI): Industrialist Vijay Mallya on Friday said that the Indian government has nothing to do with the bidding for Mahatma Gandhi's memorabilia and he bid on his own.

"I bid independently. I wanted to get back the items to the country. I am not sure if anyone was aware that I was bidding," Mallya said.

Union Cultural Minister Ambika Soni on Friday claimed that the Indian government was in constant touch with Vijay Mallya throughout the auction.

Mallaya, however, refused the government's claim, and said he acted on his own to get back Gandhi's belongings.

Mallya bought Mahatma Gandhi's five personal objects, including the iconic round eyeglasses, for 1.8 million dollars on Friday in a New York auction. (ANI)