Atlanta, USA - A federal bankruptcy judge has approved the auctioning of 100 statues and other property to satisfy debts of the Hindu Temple of Georgia, which filed for bankruptcy last year.
The temple, in Norcross, claims to have $9.4 million in assets and $15 million in liabilities.
Attorneys for the Norcross temple and Indian Handicrafts Development Corp. sought to block the sale of the statues on the basis of religious significance.
Lloyd Whitaker, a court-appointed trustee, said he wasn't able to determine the statues' worth. Some are made of wood, others of stone or precious metals.
The judge stipulated that the items be auctioned off individually so the temple has the opportunity to reclaim them. The auction will be held April 24 at the temple's former property.