SC stays Haridwar Court's orders in Hussain case

New Delhi, May 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court today stayed till further orders the operation of a Haridwar Court directive for the attachment of the properties of eminent artist M F Hussain, who is facing prosecution for painting the portraits of 'Bharat Mata' in an obscene fashion.

A bench comprising Justices B N Aggarwal and P P Naolekar also issued notices to the state of Uttarakhand and other respondents on his transfer petition seeking the transfer of criminal case from Haridwar to Delhi for security reasons.

Earlier, cases from Bhopal and other parts of the country have been transferred to Patiala House Court in New Delhi. The cases against M F Hussain relate to the nude paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

The 90-year-old painter is presently staying in England. Counsel for Hussain today submitted before the apex court that he may be killed if he appears in Haridwar court in view of the surcharged atmosphere. He has also denied the factum of making such paintings.

Presently BJP is ruling the state of Uttarakhand.

UNI