SC seeks explanation from Bhansali on ‘Black’ fire

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought explanation from noted film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on a plea seeking vacation of stay on criminal proceedings against him in connection with a fire on the set of his film ‘Black’. The fire, caused by an LPG cylinder leak, was allegedly used as a camouflage to claim compensation.

A bench comprising Justices C K Thakker and D K Jain issued notice to Bhansali on a petition filed by Farida Husseinally, an antique dealer, who had sourced some unique furniture for the set of the movie.

The antique dealer who allegedly had lost furniture worth Rs 2 crore, which included heavy bronze, copper and other items, in a complaint in the magistrate’s court in Borivali had contended that use of LPG cylinders on the set was a criminal offence under the provisions of law regulating the petroleum gas.

Husseinally through her counsel Vishwnath Chaturvedi has challenged the Bombay High Court order staying the criminal proceedings, claiming that the director was in the habit of putting his film sets on fire for duping the insurance companies.

She alleged that during the shooting of the film on February 18, 2004, the set was put on fire to seek hefty compensation.The antique dealer further claimed that on her enquiry she came to know that before the alleged fire, Bhansali had removed all the items supplied by her from the set of the film.

After a complaint was lodged in 2006, Bhansali had moved the High Court, seeking the quashing of the criminal case registered against him in the court in Borivali.