New Delhi, March 26: Self-exiled painter M F Husain, who has taken up Qatar citizenship, cannot be compelled to return to India by the courts or the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court observed today refusing to direct dropping of criminal cases against him.
“What can the Prime Minister do if a person decides to live in Doha (capital of Qatar). They are international citizens they can live anywhere in the world,” the apex court observed while refusing to entertain a public interest litigation filed by Bhim Singh, chief of the J&K Panthers Party and senior advocate.
Singh, in his petition, said he has written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to take steps to bring 95-year old Husain back to India and sought the apex court’s direction to the PM for ensuring his return.
–Agencies