Date:23/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/23/stories/2008012356061500.htm

National

Proceedings stayed against M.F. Husain

Staff Reporter

M.F. Husain

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday stayed criminal proceedings against noted painter M.F. Husain in a case for allegedly portraying Hindu gods and goddesses in an uncharitable manner.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul of the court stayed the proceedings on a petition by Mr. Husain filed through his counsel challenging his summoning by a court here. Mr. Husain is in self-exile abroad. He left the country in 2006 following filing of complaints by private persons across the country accusing him of hurting the sentiments of Hindus by portraying their gods and goddesses in an indecent manner.

The Supreme Court had transferred all the complaints to an Additional Chief Metropolitan Court here on a petition by Mr. Husain.

The ACMM of the Patiala House courts, A.K. Kuhar, had summoned the painter asking him to appear before the court on March 29. The case is related to a complaint by a person in Hardwar in Uttarakhand.

Mr. Justice Kaul directed the complainant, A.K. Srivastava, to file a reply to the petition by Mr. Husain by May 21.