Auction of gems linked to Buddha postponed after India legal threat

Ministry of culture tells Sotheby's it would be participating in continued colonial exploitation' if sale of gems goes ahead

The Indian government is seeking to repatriate ancient gem relics linked to the Buddha's remains after halting their sale at an auction in Hong Kong.

Sotheby's postponed the sale of the Piprahwa gems, due on Wednesday, after the ministry of culture threatened to take legal action against the auction house in Indian and Hong Kong courts and through international bodies for violations of cultural heritage laws".