On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court expressed serious concerns regarding the negligence of Mumbai University (MU), which has resulted in the misappropriation of antique and historical numismatic coins intended for the university's museum. The court reprimanded MU authorities for failing to take effective measures over several years to safeguard these valuable artifacts.
The court directed Dinesh Mody, a nonagenarian who allegedly sold or auctioned coins donated to the museum as well as those purchased in the museum's name, to provide accurate details of any remaining coins in his possession and to deposit them with the prothonotary of the court. Additionally, the court instructed the firm that allegedly auctioned these coins to submit an affidavit detailing which coins are still available and to provide information on the individuals to whom any coins may have been sold.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar was addressing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2014 by Farokh Todywalla, president of the Mumbai Coin Society. Todywalla, represented by senior advocate Dinyar Madon, claimed he sold part of his coin collection to Mody at a discounted price for donation to the museum. Todywalla alleged that Mody had been selling coins belonging to the museum under the 'Vardhaman collection' series, including those purchased in the museum's name, to evade a 10-15 percent service tax.
In his defense, Mody stated that according to a donation agreement dated May 28, 1993, only 7,000 to 8,000 coins were given to the museum, with the remaining coins purchased personally between 2009 and 2013. He contended that Todywalla's claims were unfounded and rooted in business rivalry with the current auctioneer.
The High Court had previously issued an interim order on January 31, 2014, prohibiting Mody and the auctioneer from auctioning any coins belonging to the museum or purchased in its name since the museum's establishment. The court had also criticized MU for its inaction in November 2016.
Emphasizing the seriousness of the issues raised in the petition, the bench remarked, “The facts presented reveal how the apathy of Mumbai University authorities has led to the siphoning off its own property in the form of numismatic coins, which were to be housed in the museum according to the 1993 agreement. These coins hold not just monetary value but also historical and cultural significance. Because they are articles of antiquity, they can command high prices when sold.”
The bench added, “Despite acknowledging that coins have been lost or siphoned away, MU authorities have taken no concrete action over the years. Once donated, these coins became the property of the university, which is responsible for their preservation and protection, not only for their market value but also for their academic significance and potential for study and research in various historical disciplines, including archaeology.”