Court proceedings againt Hussain stayed

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed the criminal proceedings pending against noted painter Maqbool Fida Hussain in courts at Indore (M.P.) and Rajkot(Gujarat) for allegedly portraying Hindu gods and goddesses and Bharat Mata in a vulgar manner hurting religious and patriotic sentiments of the people.

A bench comprising Mr. Justice K G Balakrishnan and Mr. Justice P P Naolekar while issuing notice on the transfer petition filed by Hussain seeking transfer of the two aforesaid cases to Delhi court on the grounds of personal security, also stayed the bailable warrant issued against him till April 13.

Counsel for the complainant in Indore case Mr. R K Jain told the court that he was prepared to withdraw his complaint provided unconditional apologies by the artist coupled with an undertaking that he will not repeat the demeaning depiction in future.

Senior Counsel Harish Salve appearing for the petitioner, however, contended that his client had nothing to do with the mentioned paintings . He never inscribed the name of Bharat Mata below the painting . Salve also told the court that the atmosphere at the two places was hostile as some organisation has announced heavy prices for the head and hands of his client.

UNI AKS/SC SY RP RS1418