Husain should bear litigation expenses, complainants to HC

The fact that the complainant has to demand compensation is yet another glaring example of the failure of our 'Secular' Democracy! It is the Govt. of Bharat that should bear all the expenses involved in this litigation against Husain. Husain has performed the blasphemous act of drawing Bharat Mata in the nude and yet, the Govt. of Bharat is lethargic in meting out punishment. Ardent Hindus have filed cases against Husain, asking for his punishment. Congratulations to the Hindus who are battling Husain in spite of the tedious legal process. - Editor

New Delhi: Six complainant from different states who dragged noted painter M F Husain to court over his allegedly indecent works want him to bear their litigation cost as they have been forced to attend hearings in the Capital -- following his plea for such an arrangement. The complaints today approached the Delhi High Court, in connection with the alleged indecent depiction of Bharat Mata and Hindu gods by Husain, and sought financial compensation for pursuing their cases here.

Husain is facing criminal prosecution for his controversial paintings in as many as six complaints. The cases filed in different states were in 2006 clubbed by the apex court and transferred to the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (ACMM) court here. Filing an application through counsel Purnima Sethi, the complainants, including Indore-based Ajay Singh Naruka, requested Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul to direct Husain to pay him and other complainants the expenses for traveling to Delhi.

They sought compensation every time the matter comes up for hearing in the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate(ACMM) or High Court. Naruka's lawyer said her client being a witness in the case has been summoned by the court and he was entitled for the process fee and diet money from the accused.

Seeking the court to direct Husain to deposit some money for the complainants, the counsel said "for travelling to Delhi, boarding and lodging charges of the complainants, Husain should be directed to deposit some money." The Court was hearing Husain's plea for quashing of a complaints filed by several persons including Naruka and a practising lawyer in Haridwar accusing the painter of outraging religious sentiments.

PTI

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