Archive · 20 Sep 2026
NGMA Seeks Permission to Display Seized DHFL-Case Artworks
Some very expensive paintings and sculptures were taken by investigators in a large DHFL bank-fraud case.
They are being kept at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai.
The gallery wants to show them in exhibitions instead of keeping them in storage.
The Central Bureau of Investigation must ask the court before this can happen.
A judge had earlier ordered that two paintings be kept in a museum or gallery with proper temperature and climate controls.
The people accused in the case are worried about who would pay if the artworks were damaged.
They also want to know whether the works would be insured and how long they would be displayed.
The court is considering the request.
It is scheduled to hear the matter on September 24.
The National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, has stored 65 paintings and three sculptures seized in the DHFL case for nearly two years.
The collection includes works by Tyeb Mehta, Manjit Bawa, S.H. Raza and F.N. Souza, including a Tyeb Mehta painting valued at over Rs 27 crore.
NGMA Mumbai Director Nidhi Choudhari asked the Central Bureau of Investigation for permission to display the artworks in curated exhibitions.
The CBI has asked the Rouse Avenue Court for directions, after an earlier order moved two paintings to a government museum or reputed gallery for preservation.
Accused persons have raised concerns about insurance, responsibility for potential damage and how long the artworks would be displayed; the court will hear the plea on September 24.
- Who
- The National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai; the Central Bureau of Investigation; the accused persons in the DHFL case; and the Rouse Avenue Court.
- What
- NGMA wants permission to display 65 seized paintings and three sculptures in curated exhibitions.
- When
- The artworks have been at NGMA for nearly two years; the court is scheduled to hear the plea on September 24.
- Where
- The artworks are being stored at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai, and the application is before the Rouse Avenue Court.
- Why
- The NGMA says it wants to display the works, while an earlier court order required their preservation in a controlled environment.
NGMA and CBI
Accused Persons
Whether the artworks should be displayed
NGMA and CBI
NGMA wants to include the seized works in curated exhibitions, while the CBI has sought court directions regarding the request.
Accused Persons
The accused persons have questioned the proposal and sought clarity about potential damage, insurance and responsibility for losses.
Duration and conditions of display
NGMA and CBI
The CBI told the court that NGMA was seeking display on a regular basis or until further directions from the court.
Accused Persons
The accused persons said the NGMA director’s letter did not specify how long the paintings and sculptures would be displayed or how they would be insured.
- Artworks held
- 65 paintings and three sculptures
- Most valuable cited work
- Tyeb Mehta’s Bull, valued at over Rs 27 crore
- Other cited works
- A Manjit Bawa work valued at over Rs 7.7 crore; S.H. Raza’s Village valued at over Rs 3.50 crore; and an F.N. Souza work valued at Rs 2 crore
- Case
- The artworks are linked to the Rs 34,000-crore Dewan Housing Finance Limited fraud case
- Storage location
- National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai
- NGMA request
- Permission to display the artworks on a regular basis or until further court directions
- Next hearing
- September 24