The sprawling Mumbai bungalow of the late scientist Homi Jehangir Bhabha which was sold at an auction in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The sprawling Mumbai bungalow of Homi Bhaba, one of India's best-known scientists, was sold at an auction today for 372 crores to a buyer whose identity has not been disclosed.
Scientists like CNR Rao had been demanding that "Mehrangir", located in the fancy Malabir Hill area, be turned into a museum by the government as a tribute to the "father of India's atomic energy programme."
The property fetched Rs 115 crore more than the reserve price of Rs 257 crore.
The three-storey bungalow with a built-up area of over 15,000 square feet on a plot measuring 1,593 square metres, offers a beautiful view of the sea.
After Homi Bhabha's death in a plane crash in 1966, his brother Jamshed, a patron of art and culture, became the custodian of the estate. When he died in 2007, the property was transferred to the National Centre for Performing Arts, an institution that he was closely involved with.
Some employees of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(BARC) had recently petitioned the Centre and the Bombay High Court to stop the proposed sale of the large home.
The High court had on Monday refused to stop the sale, but agreed to hear the case on Monday, stating that the auction could be revoked, if required.