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4 heritage items from Chandigarh auctioned in US for Rs 18.87 lakh
Official raises serious concerns, seeks MEA protection
Four Pierre Jeanneret heritage items from Chandigarh institutions auctioned in US as Chandigarh Administration member flags illegal export concerns
Four heritage items from Chandigarh, designed by renowned architect Pierre Jeanneret, were auctioned in the US for Rs 18.87 lakh on January 8.
The items belonged to Panjab University (PU), Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and the MLA flats. The auction was conducted by WRIGHT Auction House in the US.
Ajay Jagga, a member of the Heritage Items Protection Cell of the Chandigarh Administration, raised serious concerns over the sale and wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking protection of national heritage.
Jagga stated that the auction took place despite advance intimation and thanked the Indian Consulate in Chicago for promptly responding. He also shared the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order that bans the export of Pierre Jeanneret-designed furniture.
Jagga highlighted that such original furniture, commissioned using public funds for government and educational institutions, was never meant for private sale or export.
Jagga pointed out that the removal of these artefacts violates the MHA ban imposed in 2011 and weakens the authenticity of Chandigarh’s heritage architecture. He has questioned who authorised the disposal and whether heritage clearance was obtained.
Demanding strict action, Jagga called for an immediate inquiry, a complete inventory audit, clear policy guidelines and accountability for the illegal export of public heritage assets.
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