PATIALA: Auction house Sotheby's in England has withdrawn a rare and controversial Sikh Armour that was to go under the hammer on April 9.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar Monday confirmed it and said that Baba Mohinder Singh of Nishkam Seva of UK, one of member of panel of fact-finding committee, has informed him from London that auction has been stopped.

Talking to PunjabNewsline.com over phone Makkar said that the meeting of fact-finding panel would be called in Amritsar in day or two.

Makkar said that before going to London to ascertain the facts panel will be asked to approach former chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh to have access on complete Charaina (Four Plate Armour) set of 10th Guru Guru Gobind Singh currently housed in the collection of the erstwhile royal family of Patiala in Punjab.

The Armour dates from the 18th century and has caused much controversy in India.
 
Sikh political and religious bodies have petitioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, held demonstrations, and dashed off letters of protest to the Indian High Commission in London and Sotheby's calling for the rectangular 29-by-21-cm-body armour to be returned to Sikhs.

Makkar said that since majority of members have not yet seen the original Armour of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and without knowing the originality we cannot reach on the conclusion. 

Makkar said that even though Sotheby's, one of the biggest auction houses of London, has announced that the rare body Armour did not belong to the 10th Sikh Guru, the matter will not closed here and we will have to know what was the reality.

Makkar has expressed happiness as Sotheby has withdrawn the auction.