Delhi HC rejects plea seeking probe over M.F. Husain paintings

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to order a probe over claims that two paintings of late artist and Padma awardee M.F. Husain, which allegedly hurt religious sentiments, were displayed in an art gallery.

High Court Justice Amit Mahajan said no investigation was required in the matter. “Everything is already before the court. It has to decide whether sentiments were hurt. Where is a probe required in this?” the judge asked and dismissed the application.

The application was filed against a Delhi court order, which had said no further probe was required. The Delhi court said the matter could proceed before it as a complaint case.

On Wednesday, however, the complainant told the court that she was not able to fight individually. “I will have to find out who visited the gallery, to find out those whose sentiments were hurt,” the complainant told the court.

On January 20 this year, the Delhi court ordered the seizure of paintings of Hindu deities made by Husain, displayed in the Delhi Art Gallery. The paintings showed Hindu gods, Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha, holding nude female characters in their hands.

The orders came on the complaint filed by advocate Amita Sachdeva, who demanded the removal of the “offensive” paintings.

Later in August, a Delhi court rejected Ms. Sachdeva’s plea seeking a further probe in the case.