Indian PM’s suit auctioned for $690,000

AN Indian diamond trader has agreed to pay 43.1m rupees ($690,000) for a suit worn by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Winning bidder Hitesh Patel told BBC Hindi: “We will keep the suit at our factory and it will be a source of inspiration.”

Critics attacked Mr Modi when it was revealed the suit was decorated with pinstripes spelling out his name.

He auctioned it along with hundreds of gifts he has received, vowing to use the money to clean the river Ganges.

Mr Patel said he entered the winning bid on behalf of his father Lavji, the owner of Dharmanandan Diamonds, a company with a annual turnover of $900m.

A rival bid for 50m rupees was rejected after narrowly missing the deadline of 17:00 (12:30 GMT).

Mr Modi wore the suit during President Barack Obama’s visit to India in January.

The auction ended on Friday after three days of intense bidding.