According to Indian media, the court rejected a petition seeking to file an FIR against the Delhi Art Gallery (DAG). The court observed that the complainant, Advocate Amita Sachdeva, possessed sufficient evidence to support her claims.
Judicial Magistrate Sahil Monga of the Patiala House Court advised the complainant to proceed with the matter as a complaint case, which involves formally filing a complaint, followed by judicial scrutiny and potential inquiry.
The court further stated that all facts and circumstances are already known to the complainant. CCTV footage from the Delhi Art Gallery and the paintings in question have been seized, making additional investigation or evidence collection by an investigative agency unnecessary at this stage.
In a statement on Thursday, DAG expressed relief that the judicial magistrate refused to order an FIR, emphasizing that no state investigative agency involvement was necessary in the private complaint filed by the complainant.
The gallery administration also stated its firm opposition to the baseless allegations and announced plans to pursue legal action against the complainant for false accusations.
Notably, after Sachdeva’s complaint, the court had ordered the seizure of two paintings by M.F. Husain displayed at DAG in Connaught Place, New Delhi. The paintings depicted Hindu deities Hanuman and Ganesh. According to the complainant, these paintings were offensive and hurt religious sentiments. She claimed to have filed a police complaint on December 9, following which the artworks were removed on December 10, with the gallery allegedly denying that the paintings were ever exhibited.
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