Court grants bail to Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Mumbai, Oct 3 (UNI) A Sessions court here today granted bail to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who had moved an anticipatory bail application (ABA) apprehending arrest in a case filed against him by antique dealer Farida Hoosenally under the Essential Commodities Act.

Additional Sessions Judge M L Thaliyai directed Mr Bhansali to attend the Borivali police station on every Saturday and Sunday till the filing of the chargesheet in the case.

Earlier, counsel for Bhansali had argued that there were no grounds to take him into the custody as he was completely cooperating with the investigative authority.

He also argued that the fire brokeout due to a short circuit and not due to the blast of two cylinders, which were found in the debris.

Ms Hoosenally in her complaint had alleged that antique furniture worth Rs 2.5 crore, rented out for the shooting of the movie 'Black', was gutted in the fire, for which she was not compensated.

Bhansali's counsel told the court that his client had already paid Rs 20 lakh to the antique dealer and there were no grievances.

The antique dealers's furniture was gutted in the fire at the studio during February 2004.

Bhansali had approached the Sessions court last month fearing arrest as he was summoned by the Borivli police station for questioning after the case was transferred from the Aarey police station following orders from the Metropolitan magistrate court.

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