Sotheby's halts Buddha jewels auction after India threat23 hours ago Share Save Helen Sullivan BBC News Share SaveReuters A screen displays an image of the Piprahwa gems at the auction house Sotheby's in Hong Kong. The auction house Sotheby's has postponed its sale in Hong Kong of hundreds of sacred jewels linked to the Buddha's remains, after a threat of legal action by the Indian government. In a letter to the auction house two days earlier, the Indian government said that the relics constituted "inalienable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. A high-level Indian government delegation then held discussions with Sotheby's representatives on Tuesday. Notice of the gems sale had been removed from its auction house by Wednesday and the website page promoting the auction is no longer available.