Cops told to file case against Bhansali

A Mumbai court has directed the police to register a first information report (FIR) against filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and his production house, Applause Bhansali Films, following a complaint filed by Farida Hoosenally, an antique furniture dealer, whose furniture was destroyed during the shooting of Bhansali's film Black in October 2005.

Magistrate A G Mohabey of Borivali court (in suburban Mumbai) has directed the senior police inspector of Aarey Police Station to register an FIR against Bhansali and submit a report in the case within two months, furniture dealer Farida Hoosenally's lawyer, Y P Singh, stated.

Showcasing Black

Hoosenally, whose antique furniture got burnt on the sets of Black had approached the police in October 2005 to lodge an FIR against Bhansali and Applause Bhansali Films, which had produced the film.

She had charged Bhansali and others with criminal negligence that caused her losses to the tune of crores of rupees.

However, when the police did not register FIR, she moved the concerned senior police officials in November 2005, not to any avail. Later Hoosenally approached the Borivali magistrate, who ordered an enquiry but also observed that in such matters public interest litigation needs to be filed, Singh said.

A criminal writ petition was, therefore, filed by Hoosenally in Bombay High Court in April this year. A bench of Justice D G Deshpande and Justice Vijaya Kapse Tahilramani ordered the Magistrate to hear the case without filing of any PIL, he said.

"We are also exploring our options to seek a remedy for fixing responsibility for dereliction of duties by police officers in the matter," he added.