SC to hear Hussain's plea for tranfer of criminal cases on Monday

New Delhi, Apr 7 (UNI) The Supreme Court will hear on Monday petitions filed by noted painter M F Hussain seeking transfer of two criminal cases pending against him for outraging religious sentiments by portraying nude pictures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Ninety-one-year-old Padma Vibhushan awardee, Hussain, has sought the taransfer of sedition cases pending against him to Patiala House courts here where another criminal case is pending against him on the same issue.

Non-bailable warrants have already been issued against Hussain by courts at Indore and Rajkot on account of non appearance.

Hussain is facing allegations under section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act on account of certain paintings of Hindu deities and mythological characters in 1970s and 80s as well as a more recent painting of Bharat mata.

A bench comprising Ms Justice Ruma Pal and Mr Justice Dalveer Bhandari fixed the date of hearing after senior counsel Mukul Rohatagi mentioned the matter for early hearing.

Hussain had shown the pictures in an exhibition and he had sold the aforesaid painting. The painting was advertised at part of an online auction for charity that was to be held in February this year to raise funds for victims of the October 8 Kashmir eathquake.

The petitioner has also alleged that different political groups including Hindu Jan Jagriti Samiti, the VHP, RSS, BJP and Bajrang Dal have accused him of hurting Hindu religious sentiments.

Meanwhile, he has tendered an apology.

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