Indian Cricketer Hardik Pandya Faces Legal Complaint Over Alleged National Flag Disrespect

Bengaluru. Indian cricket team member Hardik Pandya has landed in legal trouble on allegations of disrespecting the national flag. A complaint has been registered at the Shivaji Nagar police station in Bengaluru, alleging that he did not maintain the dignity of the flag during the victory celebration held in Ahmedabad after the recently concluded T-20 World Cup.

Wajid Khan Bidkar, an advocate from Pune, filed the complaint against Pandya. The claim that Pandya disrespected the national flag is based on videos that went viral on social media.

According to the complainant, in one video, Pandya is seen dancing and running on the field draped in the flag over his shoulder, while in another scene, the flag was still draped over his shoulder while he was seen sleeping with his girlfriend on the stage.

Under The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, dropping the national flag on the ground, wearing it improperly, or hurting its dignity is considered a punishable offense. Advocate Khan has demanded action under Section 2 of the same act.

Although the police initially refused to accept the complaint, stating the incident occurred in Ahmedabad, they accepted the complaint after the argument that the flag is a common symbol of the entire country and a complaint regarding its disrespect can be filed anywhere.

India recently won the T-20 World Cup for the third time, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final.