Picture for representational purpose. Photo: PTI Picture for representational purpose. Photo: PTI

Veteran activist Anna Hazare's SUV, which he used during several agitations and processions in the past, will be auctioned at his native village Ralegan Siddhi on May 17.

"Anna needs a new vehicle because he is suffering from back pain, and travelling in the eight-year-old SUV, a Mahindra Scorpio, is aggravating it," Hazare's aide said.

The SUV is owned by Hazare's Swami Vivekanand Krutudnata Nidhi, a trust formed to govern the funds received by Hazare by way of awards.

"This vehicle took Anna from place to place when he launched the Jan Lokpal movement," the aide said.

"It was this vehicle that witnessed Annaji's successful fight against the corrupt (Maharashtra) ministers in 2007 and 2009," he added.

The auction will take place at Hazare's Ralegan Siddhi village in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district on May 17 at 11 am.