The maverick maker who is known for his sensitive and thought provoking films has now provoked the law. After struggling for about two years, Farida Hosenally whose antique furniture had got burnt in the sets of the film Black in February 2004 has finally managed to get the law behind Bhansali.

Firstly the cops did not register a case against Bhansali and the law observed that she needs to file a public interest litigation. Finally, a Mumbai Court has urged the police to file an FIR against Sanjay Leela Bhansali and officers of Kumarmangalam Birla Group Company Applause Entertainment, Bhansali Films and others. The FIR is ordered to be lodged under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which is a cognisable and a non-bailable offence.

Says YP Singh, Hosenally’s lawyer and former top cop from Mumbai, “As a lawyer I feel victorious but as an IPS officer I feel miserable for such apathy shown by the Police in performing their statutory duties. We had the resources and perseverance so we moved the Magistrate’s Court then the High Court, and then Magistrate’s Court once again. But what would common man do who has no resources!”

Bhansali was unavailable to comment on the issue.