Court Denies FIR Against Delhi Art Gallery for Displaying Controversial MF Hussain Paintings, Claims Sufficient Evidence Already Presented
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi,24, January,2025. In a high-profile legal battle, a Delhi court on Thursday refused to order the police to file an FIR against the Delhi Art Gallery (DAG) for displaying paintings by renowned artist MF Hussain, which have been deemed controversial and offensive by some. The case has drawn significant attention due to its potential to impact the intersection of art, religion, and legal rights in India.
The court, led by Additional Magistrate First Class Sahil Monga of the Patiala House Court, concluded that the complainant, Delhi-based advocate Amita Sachdeva, already possessed sufficient evidence to support her allegations. In her complaint, Sachdeva had raised concerns about the display of offensive artwork, which she claimed insulted religious sentiments. She argued that she had photographed the paintings during a visit to DAG last December and had subsequently approached the police to lodge a formal complaint. However, despite her efforts, no FIR was filed at the time, and the paintings in question were removed during her later visit.
According to the court, the facts and circumstances of the case were already known to the complainant, and key evidence—such as CCTV footage from DAG and images of the disputed paintings—had been seized. As a result, the court ruled that no further investigation or evidence collection was necessary at this stage. It also noted that should the need for an FIR arise in the future, provisions under Section 225 of the BNSS (Bharatiya National Security Statute) could be invoked.
The gallery, on the other hand, strongly denied the allegations, asserting that they had not displayed the specific artworks in question. DAG officials argued that they highly valued artistic freedom and rejected claims that their exhibition had any malicious intent. They suggested that Sachdeva’s complaint appeared to be driven by a religious agenda, given her public statements on social media where she expressed her intent to take legal action against any perceived insult to Sanatan Dharma.
The artworks in question were part of a larger exhibition curated by DAG last October, which included over 100 pieces focusing on the theme of nationhood, with many portraying portraits and exploring complex themes tied to identity and culture. Hussain’s work has long been a subject of debate, with his provocative pieces often at the center of public and legal controversy.
Despite the court’s decision not to pursue an FIR at this moment, the issue remains highly contentious, with implications for the balance between artistic expression and religious sensitivities in the country.
