Some of those who had milked the run-up for publicity, claiming to be part of the bidding war for the prime properties, failed to turn up. Swami Chakrapani, president of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha who had milked the hype surrounding the Dawood Ibrahim property auction, stating that he was going to build a public toilet after acquiring hotel Raunaq Afroz, was conspicuous by his absence yesterday. He had said the toilet would be "elegant and free of cost to the public", during the run-up to the auction. A call to the Swami evinced a curt answer. "I am in Lucknow," he said, before hanging up.

Swami Chakrapani at the auction two years ago. File Pic