Overview

• Additional Sessions Judge Saurabh Partap Laler on August 19 upheld a magistrate’s decision to treat the matter as a complaint case rather than direct an FIR.
• The court said the seized paintings, exhibition records, and CCTV footage provide sufficient material to test the allegations without a police probe for now.
• Citing BNSS provisions, the order noted the magistrate can seek limited police assistance during the complaint proceedings if it becomes necessary.
• Delhi Police reported no malicious intent in a preliminary action‑taken report and no communal unrest from the exhibition, reinforcing the court’s view.
• The two paintings were seized on January 22 and remain in police custody; DAG denies wrongdoing, while the complainant’s tampering claims were described as speculative.