SC dismisses plea for return of Husain, withdrawal of cases

New Delhi, Mar 26 (PTI) The Indian Supreme Court Friday
refused to direct the Indian government to take steps to
ensure return of self-exiled painter M F Husain, who has been
residing in a Gulf country, to India and withdrawal of cases
against him.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan
refused to entertain a petition seeking a direction to the
government to withdraw all criminal cases against the
95-year-old artist to ensure his return to the country.
"If he is in Doha, what is the problem," the bench
queried while asking the petitioner to withdraw his plea.
Husain had recently given up his Indian passport and
accepted Qatari citizenship. He has been living in self-exile
for nearly four years following a spate of cases in India over
his controversial paintings of Hindu goddesses.
"The prayer made in the petition cannot be granted,"
the bench said.
The judges were hearing the petition filed by Jammu and
Kashmir Panthers Party Chief Bhim Singh in which he had
pleaded that the court should ask India's Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh to take steps to bring Husain back to India.
The apex court said it cannot direct the Union of India
to withdraw the cases as the complaints were filed by private
individuals.
The bench pointed out that it had transferred all the
cases against him for adjudication in Delhi. (More) PTI AAC
MRD


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