NEW DELHI, July 7: The Delhi Government has asked the city police to register a criminal case against noted painter M F Husain for the alleged ``objectionable portrayal'' of Sita in one of his paintings displayed at an art gallery in the Capital earlier this year.According to sources in the Delhi Government, the decision was taken a week ago and conveyed to the Delhi police yesterday.This followed a report from a government committee which examined the complaint lodged against Husain by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activist Raghu Vyas at Lajpat Nagar Police Station in South Delhi in February.The committee has recommended investigation by the police under Section 153-A of the Indian Penal Code which empowers the investigating authority to take action against a person allegedly found ``promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of social harmony''.Delhi Police Commissioner V N Singh todayconfirmed that the orders had come from the Delhi Government. He told The Indian Express: ``We have received permission from the Delhi Government to register a case against M F Husain.'' But neither Singh nor Joint Commissioner of Police (southern range) Amod Kanth offered comments on possibility of Husain being arrested. ``Let us start the investigations, then we will examine all the possibilities.''Kanth, said: ``I have heard that the direction from the Delhi Government has reached the police headquarters, but it is yet to reach me. I will send the file to Lajpat Nagar police immediately after that.'' Kanth also confirmed that the case had not been registered today. ``In fact, we had initiated the process immediately after the complaint was filed at the police station. The file was sent to the Delhi Government to seek their opinion about whether a case can be registered in this context. Since they have given the nod, will do the needful.''The controversial painting had been put on display at anart gallery in the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature in the Siri Fort area of South Delhi in the first week of February. When some VHP activists came to know about it, they threatened to burn down the gallery. All paintings from the gallery were removed from the gallery before around 50 VHP activists arrived. The activists, nevertheless, raised slogans and demanded action against Husain.Several noted painters who were near the gallery at that time attempted to calm tempers. But in the melee, eminent painter Jatin Das was manhandled. The situation was brought under control only after the local police reached the spot. VHP activist Raghu Vyas however filed a complaint at the Lajpat Nagar police station against Husain for depicting Sita in an ``objectionable manner''.Sources added that the committee which examined the complaint concluded that Husain's painting of Sita when it was displayed in Delhi and if it is put up again elsewhere offended the sentiments of Hindus by portraying her in a lesserlight.The also opined that it would unnecessarily create friction between different communities.The complaint was referred to the Delhi Government because whenever a work of art or literature is deemed as obscene and is likely to cause communal disharmony, it is first examined by a committee appointed by the government. Investigations follow only after the committee gives its views. And the if the police want to file a charge-sheet after the investigations are over, they have to seek sanction from the committee once again.
