After stumbling on an allegedly original painting of Spanish master Francisco de Goya,worth Rs 20 crore,during a raid at a property dealers house around a week ago,the Oshiwara police have now sought scientific opinion from the Kalina Forensic Science Laboratory on its age. There are,however,no reports of the original painting being stolen from the Museo del Prado Museum in Madrid. Police said they had approached several artists in the city,to help them determine the age and authenticity of the painting,but were unable to get an accurate opinion. About a week ago,the police had received an information about a property dealer in Oshiwara,Andheri (West) possessing four weapons. Based on the information the police while conducting a search at the residence of Majid Sultan Khan (32) noticed a huge box in his house. On being asked about the box,Khan replied that it had an old painting that he had acquired from a dealer. We have now approached a team of scientists. They will take a sample of paint from the painting and after tests will submit a report with their findings, Pratap Dighavkar,deputy commissioner of police (Zone 9) said. The police have,meanwhile,written to the Spanish Embassy informing them of the discovery of the painting. If we find out that the painting is fake,we will charge Majid Sultan Khan under the sections of the copyright Act,as the accused was selling it for Rs 20 crore,which is the cost of the original Goya, Dighavkar said.
