内容摘要：Ms Downes said she believed the money could be spent on other priorities and feared the project would "add to consumer bills".

Ms Downes said she believed the money could be spent on other priorities and feared the project would "add to consumer bills".

Husain struck a billion rupees deal with businessman Guru Swarup Srivastava for this series of paintings. Media dubbed it "India's biggest art deal," catapulting the little-known Srivastava into overnight fame as a celebrity collector.But two years later, India's top crime agency, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), began

, alleging he and associates hadfrom a government-backed agricultural body.The CBI alleged Srivastava diverted the funds into real estate, mutual funds, and Husain paintings. He and his company deny all charges; the case remains in court.

In 2008, a tribunal allowed the government-backed agricultural body to seize one billion rupees in assets from Srivastava, including the 25 Husain paintings.In February this year, a court

for the paintings to be auctioned to recover part of the loan. And so, after years locked away in bank vaults, the 25 paintings are finally stepping into the spotlight.

to author and journalist Tara Kaushal, Srivastava spoke about his stalled deal with the artist.He was a "well-liked young boy" and "our best friend", they said.

A 14-year-old girl and a 37-year-old woman were also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, police said.Det Ch Insp Tony Platten said the incident had "rocked the local community".

He called for anyone with information to contact the force.Earlier, Ibrahima's father left flowers at the scene of the attack.