New Delhi ,March 26: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to intervene in the issue of M.F. Husain’s Qatari citizenship, saying it could not pass a direction to the government to withdraw cases against the painter as they were filed on private complaints in which even the government has no role.

"All of them are private parties. The Delhi high court has already disposed of some and many have been put in one court," a bench headed by Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan said, rejecting Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh’s petition seeking its intervention.

Since Mr Singh in his petition had said the PM should be requested to ensure the return of Husain, who has taken Qatari citizenship, the apex court said, "What can the Prime Minister do if a person decides to live in a foreign country?"

The Chief Jusice of India, Mr K.G. Balakrishnan, said that in "criminal" cases filed on private complaints directly in trial courts, the government could do nothing as it has very little role.

Age Correspondent