NEWS

M F Husain transfers house to son, absconding

By Binoy Valsan in Mumbai
May 08, 2007 14:28 IST
Acclaimed painter M F Husain has transferred the ownership of his South Mumbai apartment to his son in a bid to bypass the Haridwar District Court's order to attach all his assets. The 92-year-old painter has been declared absconding and has been served the notice of proclamation under Section 82 and 83 of CRPC.

"It seems he has already transferred the apartment to his son Shafat's name. We have initiated the usual legal proceedings and are compiling the details of his remaining assets," said Prakash Kamble, Assistant Police Inspector, Cuff Parade Police Station.

However, another cop at the station told rediff.com that Husain has already re-registered his entire assets and chances are slim that they could trace anything to his name in Mumbai.

Husain's son Shafat and his wife are occupying the posh apartment in Jolly Makers III building at Cuff Parade until recently.

However according to police and security personnel now even they have moved out of the flat and it is empty at the moment. But this is yet to be confirmed since visitors to the complex are being thoroughly screened and unfamiliar faces are being grilled before permitted inside the building.

"The residents association members of Jolly Maker's III have given us strict instructions to not let any media person inside. You can tell me the name of the person you want to visit. I will confirm it and then let you inside," said one of the guards at the entrance.

Meanwhile the Court's action has been interpreted as a harsh since Section 82 and 83 are invoked in the context of hard-core criminals who are untraceable by the enforcing agencies. According to some legal experts, both sections are invoked to put a grip on those who give police the slip.

"Now Mr Husain can be arrested if spotted anywhere in the country by any police official from the rank of constable upwards. His chances of avoiding an arrest inside Indian territory are next to impossible" Kamble added.

M F Husain has come under firing for his so called vulgar and obscene depiction of Hindu religious symbols and also the image of Bharat Mata.
Binoy Valsan in Mumbai

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