Tyeb, Bawa, Raza: NGMA Mumbai wants to display priceless ‘seized artwork’, writes to CBI

A collection of priceless artwork, including a Tyeb Mehta painting worth Rs 27 crore and a Manjit Bawa valued at over Rs 7.7 crore, are currently stored at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai. However, these seized artworks, linked to the DHFL bank “fraud” case, have not been on display for nearly two years. On August 5, NGMA Mumbai Director Nidhi Choudhari sought permission from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to display the 65 paintings and three sculptures as part of the gallery's curated exhibitions.

The artworks are valued at over Rs 34,000 crore and are suspected to have been acquired with diverted funds. The court has directed the CBI to shift the artworks to a government museum or reputed art gallery for preservation, but the CBI has not clarified the costs or duration of the display.