A Delhi court has ordered the start of criminal proceedings against Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, the Assam Congress in-charge and former Minister of State for Home Affairs, in a case involving an unreturned painting by noted artist M.F. Husain. The painting, said to be worth over Rs 1 crore, was reportedly not returned by Singh despite repeated assurances.
The case came before Special Judge Jitendra Singh of the Rouse Avenue Courts, who noted that the conduct of Bhanwar Jitendra Singh amounted to a “criminal breach of trust” as defined under the Indian Penal Code. The judge observed that Singh had received the painting for a specific and limited purpose, but later failed to return it, instead giving what the court described as “false assurances.”
According to the court’s order, the actions of the Congress leader went beyond simple negligence and reflected a deliberate breach of the trust placed in him. The painting, created by one of India’s most celebrated artists, M.F. Husain, holds not only high monetary value but also significant cultural importance. 
The court’s observation stated that the evidence on record indicated that the painting had been entrusted to Singh in good faith and that his refusal to return it showed an intention contrary to the terms of that trust. On this basis, the court decided to initiate criminal proceedings against him.
