Bombay high court quashes criminal case against Sanjay Leela Bhansali

In a relief for Bollywood director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the Bombay high court today quashed a case registered against him in 2006 in connection with a fire on the sets of his film Black.

A metropolitan magistrate in Mumbai had directed the police to lodge an FIR against Bhansali in 2006, following a complaint of criminal negligence filed by Farida Husseinally, an antique furniture dealer, whose furniture pieces were destroyed in the fire.

She had rented out the pieces for the shoot.

Bhansali then approached the high court, seeking quashing of the case. Justice RC Chavan today set aside the FIR.

"The high court has put an end to Bhansali's ordeal. All criminal proceedings against him with regard to this case have been quashed," Bhansali's lawyer advocate Nitin Pradhan said.

Rs2 crore-worth furniture rented out by Husseinally was gutted in the fire. Husseinally alleged that the film maker had not compensated her fully.

Accusing Bhansali of criminal negligence, Husseinally claimed that Bhansali had under-insured the movie set and had used LPG cylinders, which is a criminal offence.