SC Dismisses Plea to Instruct Govt on Husain’s Return

The Supreme Court has declined to issue directives to the government for taking steps, including withdrawal of cases against him, to make sure that self-exiled painter MF Husain, who has been living in a Gulf country, comes back to India, said media reports.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan refused to admit a plea which sought instructions to the government for withdrawal of all criminal cases against the artists to ensure his return to India, reports said.

“If he is in Doha, what is the problem,” the bench queried while asking the petitioner to withdraw his plea.

Husain, who has been in self-exile after a spate of cases in India over his controversial paintings of Hindu goddesses, had recently quit his Indian passport and accepted Qatari citizenship, reports said.

“The prayer made in the petition cannot be granted,” the bench said.

The court made the observation while hearing a plea moved by Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party Chief Bhim Singh in which he had pleaded that the court should ask 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, reports said.

The bench pointed out that it had transferred all the cases against him for adjudication in Delhi.

(Based on internet reports)