HC stays proceeding against M F Hussain on obscenity complaint

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed the criminal proceedings against noted painter M F Hussain, summoned by a magistrate here, on a complaint related to his alleged indecent depiction of Bharat Mata and Hindu Gods.
    
Setting aside ACMM A K Kuhar's order seeking the 92-year-old Hussain's personal appearance in the case, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul issued notice to the Haridwar-based complainant, A K Srivastav, seeking his response by May 21.
    
On January 9, the ACMM had issued a notice directing the painter, who is believed to have left the country as part of a self-imposed exile, to appear before it on March 29.
     
The Court was hearing a complaint filed by Srivastav, a practicing lawyer in Haridwar court, accusing the painter of outraging religious sentiments and promoting enmity between different groups.
    
Hussain has also been accused of selling obscene material and disturbing national integrity, thereby committing offences under several sections of the IPC.
    
Earlier, a Haridwar court on Srivastav's complaint had issued a bailable warrant followed by an order for attachment of the painter's property after he failed to appear before it.
     
The attachment order against Hussain was stayed by the apex court while transferring the case to the Delhi court last year.
    
Hussain is facing criminal prosecution for his controversial paintings in as many as six cases. The cases filed in different states were earlier clubbed by the apex court and transferred from different courts to the ACMM's court here.