Hazare's SUV auctioned for Rs 9.11 lakh

The eight-year-old SUV used by social activist Anna Hazare during various agitations, including Jan Lokpal movement, was today sold for Rs nine lakh in an auction at his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district.

Pravin alias Atul Lokhande from Ahmednagar, who is closely associated with Hazare's activities, purchased the Mahindra Scorpio for Rs 9,11,000, Hazare's aide Datta Awari said.

Apart from Lokhande, 14 people participated in the auction. A new Innova car is likely to be purchased for Hazare, he said after the auction.

"Anna needs a new vehicle because he is suffering from back pain, and travelling in the eight-year-old SUV, a Mahindra Scorpio, is aggravating it," Awari had earlier said.

The SUV is owned by Hazare's Swami Vivekanand Krutudnata Nidhi, a trust formed to govern the funds received by Hazare by way of awards.

"This vehicle took Anna from place to place when he launched the Jan Lokpal movement," he said.

"He used it during his successful fight against the corrupt (Maharashtra) ministers in 2007 and 2009," he said.

Lokhande is a member of the Devdethan Gram Panchayat in Srigonda taluka of Ahmednagar. He is a former student of Ralegan village school and is closely associated with Hazare's activities, Awari said.