MF Husain at the National Art Gallery in Mumbai. , Photo courtesy: AFP
A Delhi court on Monday (January 20, 2025) ordered the seizure of paintings of Hindu deities by Padma awardee MF Hussain displayed at the Delhi Art Gallery. The paintings depict Hindu deities Hanuman and Ganesha holding naked female characters in their hands and laps.
The orders came on a complaint filed by Delhi High Court lawyer Amita Sachdeva, who had sought removal of the “objectionable” painting.
The order issued by Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Sahil Monga of Patiala House Court said that the application is accepted in the light of the mentioned facts and circumstances. “The IO is directed to seize the said painting and file a report on 22.01.2025,” the court order said.
The complainant, in his social media post, had said that he had clicked photographs of the “objectionable” painting displayed at the Delhi Art Gallery, located at 22A, Windsor Place, Connaught Place, on December 4, 2024, and lodged the complaint at Sansad Marg on December 9. . police station.
“However, during a visit to the Delhi Art Gallery with the IO on December 10, 2024, the paintings were removed and falsely claimed that they were never displayed. Delhi Police has not yet registered an FIR against Delhi Art Gallery and its directors for displaying nude paintings of Hindu deities. The complainant said in his social media post on X, It is not clear whether the police has preserved the CCTV footage from December 4 to 10, as requested in my application, to determine who painted the paintings and Why did you remove it?
Subsequently, he filed an application under sections 175(3), 223 and 94 of the Indian Civil Defense Code (BNSS) Act, seeking permission to register the FIR and preserve the CCTV footage of the Delhi Art Gallery for the interim period. Demand was made. Last year on 4th and 10th December.
During the hearing, the police told the court that the investigating officer (IO) has already seized the CCTV footage and network video recorder (NVR) of the Delhi Art Gallery.
“The ATR further states that a list of paintings was provided by the Delhi Art Gallery in which the paintings in question are mentioned at serial numbers 6 and 10. The investigation report further states that the exhibition was organized in a private place and the said paintings were meant only to display the original work of the authors/artists,” the judge further said in his order.
published – January 21, 2025 11:18 PM IST
