Nirav Modi: Billionaire's art auction raises $8m for tax collectors

Mr Modi's art collection features rare pieces by India's most celebrated artists, including Raja Ravi Varma and Vasudeo S Gaitonde

An art collection owned by Indian billionaire and fraud suspect Nirav Modi has fetched $8m (£6m) at auction.

Fifty-five pieces of art were sold in Mumbai to raise money that Mr Modi, 48, allegedly owes Indian tax authorities.

The diamond trader is wanted for his alleged role in India's largest bank fraud, totalling some $2bn (£1.5bn).

Mr Modi, whose jewellery has been worn by celebrities such as of actress Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, was arrested in the UK last week.

He is being detained in the UK and could face extradition.

Indian authorities had hoped to recover $7.3m through the art sale but many of the pieces sold above their estimate.

Auctioneers said the sale was the first of its kind, as Indian tax authorities usually auction property, gold and luxury items rather than art.

An oil-canvas painting by Vasudeo S Gaitonde, one of India's most prominent abstract painters, sold for $3.7m.

Raja Ravi Varma's painting from 1880 was auctioned at $2.3m (£1.7m)

Punjab National Bank (PNB), India's second-largest state-run bank, says Mr Modi is one of the main suspects in a $2bn fraudulent scheme.

Since Mr Modi fled India in early 2018, authorities have seized assets, including lavish properties and some 170 pieces of art.

Mr Modi has denied wrongdoing. Police in London said he was arrested last Tuesday on the request of Indian authorities, who have asked for his extradition.

He has been remanded in custody until 29 March.

Mr Modi's case was thrust back into the limelight after The Telegraph newspaper found him living in a $10.5m London flat earlier this month.

Within days, officials confirmed that UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid had certified India's extradition request, initially made last August.

Nirav Modi's diamonds were worn by celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Who is Nirav Modi?

Mr Modi is one of India's richest men, worth an estimated $1.75bn, according to Forbes.

He was born into a diamond trading dynasty, but only launched his own eponymous brand back in 2010.

The brand grew quickly, and he soon had shops across India, as well as in New York, London and Hong Kong.

His diamond-encrusted designs were worn by stars including Kate Winslet, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Naomi Watts, while the Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra-Jonas appeared in advertisements for the brand.

The shops were raided and his assets frozen after the allegations emerged last year.