Globally-celebrated Indian painter M F Husain, who is facing a legal storm over his alleged obscenity paintings, will return to India only after 'threats to his life recede,' a family source said.

The source told a newspaper in Dubai, 'Husain does not own any property in India and the flat, where the police has pasted attachment notice at the instance of a Haridwar court, is not in his name.'

Husain had earlier told the Khaleej Times that he wanted to go back home, but his family did not want him to return until the controversy died down.

'We have kept him back here as we fear for his life. Only if the atmosphere is conducive, we shall go back to India,' the source asserted.

Husain refused to talk further to the press saying the subject was subjudice and it could attract contempt of court charges.