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Police Complaint Filed Against Hardik Pandya for Alleged Misconduct with Indian National Flag: The euphoria surrounding the Indian cricket team's recent T20 World Cup victory has barely subsided, and the team's star all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, has found himself embroiled in a legal controversy. Pandya has been accused of allegedly insulting the national flag (tricolour) during victory celebrations. A Pune lawyer has filed a police complaint demanding strict action.
Advocate Wajid Khan Bidkar Files Police Complaint Against Hardik Pandya
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Pune lawyer Wajid Khan Bidkar has filed a written complaint against Hardik Pandya and submitted a written application to the police. The complainant claims that Pandya violated the dignity of the national flag during the celebrations.
There is a conflict between news agencies regarding the location of the complaint; While ANI reports that the complaint was filed at the Shivaji Nagar police station in Bengaluru, PTI states that the complaint was filed at the Shivaji Nagar police station in Pune. The lawyer has requested an FIR be filed against the cricketer.
Controversial Video of T20 World Cup Victory Celebration Goes Viral
According to the complaint, the root of the controversy is the viral videos on social media showing Pandya celebrating the victory. The lawyer alleges that
- Pandya was dancing on the field with the tricolor draped over his shoulders.
- In a specific video, Pandya is seen lying on the stage with his girlfriend, with the tricolor still draped over his body.
The complainant argues that using the national flag in this manner is against its dignity.
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Violation of the 1971 Act?
Lawyer Wajid Khan, citing Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, said:
"It is the duty of every citizen to maintain the dignity of the national flag. Hardik Pandya was so intoxicated with victory that he forgot that the tricolor was on his body. Even while lying with his girlfriend, the tricolor was with him, which directly reflects the image of the flag." But it is an insult to the flag code."
Argument with police over jurisdiction
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Initially, the police were hesitant to register the case. The lawyer explained that the police stated that the incident did not occur in their jurisdiction (Pune/Bangalore), but in Ahmedabad or at the match venue. Wajid Khan argued that "The national flag is the pride of the entire nation", and therefore a complaint regarding its insult could be filed anywhere in the country. Ultimately, the police accepted the complaint and provided a copy.
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