Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Centre's Reminder Prompts Chandigarh Action Over Auctioned Heritage Items
Some valuable objects connected to Chandigarh were being offered for sale in Paris.
The Ministry of Culture reminded Chandigarh officials that they were responsible for protecting the city’s heritage.
It said this was one reason the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee had been created in 2011.
The ministry asked Chandigarh to work with Indian diplomats and other authorities to stop the sale.
The Archaeological Survey of India said a specific antiquities law did not cover these objects.
Chandigarh then began taking action and registered a police complaint.
Ajay Jagga said the city’s heritage protection groups should start working regularly again.
He also asked officials to find ways to bring the objects back and prevent similar sales.
The Ministry of Culture urged Chandigarh to stop a Paris auction of the city’s heritage articles.
The ministry cited 2011 directions that led to the Chandigarh Heritage Conservation Committee’s formation.
The Archaeological Survey of India said it could not act under the 1972 antiquities law.
Chandigarh initiated action on June 25 and registered a first information report.
Heritage activist Ajay Jagga called for reviving protection bodies and creating a stronger recovery mechanism.
- Who
- The Chandigarh Administration, India’s Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India, and heritage protection advocate Ajay Jagga.
- What
- Action was initiated to stop the auction in Paris of Chandigarh heritage articles and a first information report was registered.
- When
- The Ministry of Culture wrote on June 23; Chandigarh initiated action on June 25; a copy of the communication was received by Ajay Jagga on September 3.
- Where
- The articles were being auctioned in Paris, France, while the administrative response concerned Chandigarh.
- Why
- The Centre said Chandigarh had a responsibility to protect its movable heritage under the framework connected to the 2011 Ministry of Home Affairs directions.
- Auction location
- Paris, France
- Auctioneer
- Francois Epin Auction
- Ministry communication
- Sent by Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, to UT Adviser Rajesh Prasad
- Relevant directions
- A February 22, 2011 Ministry of Home Affairs order directed Chandigarh to prevent valuable heritage items from being auctioned internationally.
- Administrative action
- Chandigarh initiated action on June 25 and registered a first information report.
- Legal limitation
- The Archaeological Survey of India said the objects did not qualify as “Antiquity” or “Art Treasure” under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972.
- Requested measures
- Ajay Jagga sought revival of the Heritage Item Protection Cell, regular committee meetings, and a system to identify, document, monitor, protect, and recover movable heritage.