Punjab Heritage Furniture Auction Raises Concern
Chandigarh: A Punjab heritage furniture auction scheduled in Chicago on August 13 has raised concerns over the ownership and provenance of historic furniture linked to Punjab and Chandigarh institutions.
At least four items are reportedly part of the upcoming auction. The items include furniture linked to the Punjab MLA Hostel, Punjab Secretariat and erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board.
Another item is a bed that reportedly carries a PGIMER identification marking.
Advocate Ajay Jagga, a member of the UT Heritage Protection Cell, has urged authorities to intervene before the auction.
He has approached Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, PGIMER Director Dr Vivek Lal and Union Health Minister JP Nadda.
Earlier Heritage Furniture Auctions
Jagga has raised concerns over the repeated appearance of heritage furniture from Chandigarh and Punjab at overseas auctions.
He referred to the sale of two Vidhan Sabha tables in 2021. The tables reportedly fetched ₹13.36 lakh.
He also cited the auction of a pair of chairs from the Punjab MLA Hostel. The chairs reportedly sold for ₹37.40 lakh in Chicago on June 4, 2026.
Jagga has asked the authorities to examine the latest Punjab heritage furniture auction and take immediate action if the items belong to government institutions.
Questions Over PGIMER-Marked Bed
The bed carrying a reported PGIMER identification marking has raised separate questions.
Jagga has asked PGIMER to check its inventory and disposal records. The records could establish whether the institute ever officially sold or disposed of the bed.
He has also sought an inquiry into how the item left the institute.
The investigation could also establish how the bed reached the overseas auction market.
At present, the ownership and provenance of the item require official verification.
Authorities Urged to Stop Auction
Jagga has urged the concerned authorities to take legal, administrative and diplomatic steps before August 13.
He wants the authorities to verify the ownership of all the listed items. He has also sought action to prevent the sale of any furniture that belongs to Punjab or Chandigarh institutions.
The issue has renewed concerns over the protection of Chandigarh’s heritage furniture.
Authorities will need to verify the records before taking further action. The verification can establish the origin, ownership and disposal history of the items.
