Delhi High Court Permits Congress Leader To Appear Virtually In Case Over Unreturned MF Husain Painting

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notice on a plea filed by Congress leader and former Minister of State for Home Affairs Bhanwar Jitendra Singh against a trial court order directing prosecution against him for criminal breach of trust over an unreturned painting of renowned artist MF Husain, allegedly valued above ₹1 crore.

Justice Ravinder Dudeja sought response of the Delhi Police as well as the complainant- Rohit Singh Mahiyaria.

The complainant alleged that in April 2014, Singh approached his mother, a former parliamentarian, seeking to borrow a painting by late artist M.F. Hussain.

He alleged that after a few days of lending the painting, the artwork was requested back from Singh. In 2017, Singh expressed his inability to locate the said painting and offered Bundi miniature paintings in lieu. It was alleged that his mother had repeatedly requested Singh to return the painting which was never done.

In March, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate dismissed the complaint which alleged commission of offences punishable under Sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Vide the impugned order, the special judge had set aside the lower court order and summoned the Congress leader for the offence under Section 406 IPC. The parties were directed to appear before the trial court on November 25.

During the hearing today, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi submitted that there was no proof of handing over of the painting.

It was argued that the allegations in the complaint were vague as no date or time of handing over of painting was mentioned. He also said that the testimonies of the witnesses recorded at the stage of pre-summoning evidence bristled with inconsistencies and contradiction.

As the Court issued notice on the plea, Singhvi requested for either stay of further proceedings before the trial court or to permit the Congress leader to appear through VC before the trial Court.

Accordingly, the Court ordered that Singh would be at liberty to appear before the trial court through VC.

The matter is now listed on April 07, 2026.

Counsel for Petitioner: Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Yudhister Singh, Mr.R.K. Arora, Mr.Saud Khan, Mr.Pulkit Shree, Mr. Shiv Kapoor, Advs

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Nawal Kishore Jha, APP

Title: BHANWAR JITENDRA SINGH v. STATE OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR