The Bombay High Court, recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the coins donated to Mumbai University (MU), has instructed Dinesh Mody, a senior Supreme Court lawyer and numismatist, to file an affidavit clarifying whether any of the coins he donated in 2005 were auctioned.
Mody had donated approximately 25,000 coins to the university to establish a museum. The court also requested that Mody provide a detailed description of the coins in his possession and submit them to the Prothonotary of the high court for safekeeping.
The court's directive came during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Farokh Todywalla, president of the Mumbai Coin Society, who alleged that Mody had auctioned some of the coins despite donating them to MU. Mody has denied the allegations, stating that around 2,000 coins are on display at the museum, with the rest safely in his possession.
The bench emphasized the importance of preserving the coins, noting their value extends beyond the metal, as they carry historical and cultural significance. The court expressed concern over the university's lack of action in safeguarding these valuable artifacts and highlighted the need to protect the coins for academic and research purposes.
In addition to Mody, the court has asked the auctioneer to submit details of any coins sold and deposit any remaining coins with the court. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on November 13.
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