Mumbai Beat

The public interest petition was sheduled for hearing before Justice B P Saraf and D K Deshmukh. The bench asked Bahrunani why he should defend Thackeray when the latter was free to move court. Moreover, since the leader was barred from voting a month ago, there was no reason to file the petition now, the bench observed. The petitioner was directed to seek a hearing later.

According to the petition, Thackeray should be allowed to vote and contest elections. He said the Election Commission has 8220;overstepped reasonable limits8221; in curtailing such a basic right. He has stated that any restriction on Thackeray is an 8220;injustice to all Hindustanis8221;. He has lamented that President of India K R Narayanan, who is the 8220;guardian of all Hindustani citizens8221; also not intervenedin the EC8217;s directions.

Director of Tata Sons dead

Shiavax R. Vakil, former Director of Tata Sons Ltd, passed away last evening. He was 82. His funeral was held at the Tower of Silence, Bennet Bungli, this morning. The Uthamna8217; ceremony will be held there on Thursday, September 10 at 3.40 pm.

Award by Sotheby8217;s

Fie artists have been shortlisted by a panel of three judges for the 1999 Sotheby8217;s prize for Contemporary Indian art, an award which has been instituted by Sotheby8217;s in association with the Oberoi Hotels, Mumbai.The artists are Atul Dodiya Mumbai, Valsan Kolleri Vadodara, Anita Dube New Delhi, Surendran Nair Vadodara and Anandajit Ray Vadodara.

The award was instituted last year with Sheela Gowda bagging the inaugural award. The panel of judges comprises art critic Ranjit Hoskote, renowned artist Akbar Padamsee and gallery owner Geeta Mehra.