It will go under the hammer on June 25, marking the first anniversary of the singer's death; family wants to stop auction

Rs 23 cr for MJ's syringe

It will go under the hammer on June 25, marking the first anniversary of the singer's death; family wants to stop auction

The syringe that administered the fatal drugs to Michael Jackson is set to be auctioned.

It was obtained secretly and could go under the hammer on June 25 -- the first anniversary of the 50-year-old singer's death. The needle is being touted around auction houses in Vegas with a price of up to $5million (Rs 23 crore).

Michael Jackson's family is desperate to stop the syringe, used to inject drugs that killed the singer, from being auctioned, it has emerged.

Family upset

Lawyers reportedly informed the King of Pop's siblings Janet and Tito that an unnamed seller has put it up for sale.

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Record breaking
THE estate of MJ has landed the biggest recording deal in history: a 200 million dollaru00a0contract with Sony Music Entertainment for 10 projects over seven years, according to industry sources.One of the albums will be of never-before released Jackson songs and will come out in November. Future projects also include a video game, a DVD compilation of videos and a re-release of Off the Wall.

"This is one of the sickest lots ever put up. The syringe is no longer needed in the inquest or in Dr Conrad Murray (the singer's personal physician's) forthcoming trial but the moral implications don't bear thinking about," said a source.

The insider added, "The guy who has possession of the needle has been in meetings with his legal team, making sure it is legitimate and his to sell. The plan is to flog it for upu00a0 in a big Vegas casino, but he's been told he may have to sell it somewhere that doesn't have 'reciprocal legal agreements with the United States', such as Brazil or even Libya.

"The validity of the sale is a matter of interpretation, dependent on whether the DA believes a crime has even been committed. Rumours are leaking thick and fast and the Jackson family are aware of the auction plan. They are furious and incensed that someone is yet again trying to profit from him. It's an incredibly distressing time for them."

MJ's autopsy result had suggested he died from "lethal levels" of a powerful anaesthetic, propofol. His personal physician has been charged for administering the drugs that eventually resulted in his death.

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