Hardik Pandya faces legal trouble for INSULTING the 'national flag' after his 'PDA' with GF Mahieka Sharma

A complaint has been filed against Hardik Pandya for allegedly disrespecting the Indian flag during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup victory celebrations. Advocate Wajid Khan Bidkar filed the complaint at the Shivaji Nagar police station, accusing Pandya of insulting the Tricolour during the team’s on-field celebrations. The incident occurred after the final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Hardik Pandya lands in legal trouble for PDA

Viral videos from the victory celebrations show Hardik Pandya celebrating with the Indian flag draped over his shoulder, according to the complaint. The complainant alleges that during the celebrations, the cricketer was seen dancing and later lying down on the stage with the flag still wrapped around him. This behavior is considered disrespectful to the national flag, prompting the complaint filed against him.

Wajid Khan argues that Pandya's actions disrespect the national flag and violate the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1971.

You must have seen the T20 World Cup celebrations. Hardik Pandya was dancing with his girlfriend in celebration of his victory. The national flag was tied to his back,” Khan told ANI.

According to Section 2 of the 1971 National Flag Act, we should respect the dignity of the national flag. However, Hardik Pandya was so lost in the celebration that he was lying with his girlfriend while wearing the national flag. I believe it is an insult to the national flag, he added.

Khan stated that despite initial police concerns about jurisdiction due to the incident's location in Ahmedabad, he maintained that a complaint was valid because the national flag represents the whole country.

When I went to file the complaint, they told me the incident occurred there, not here. I told them the national flag is a symbol of the entire nation, and we can file a complaint here. They have accepted my complaint and given me a copy, he said.

India’s win against New Zealand

A police officer at the Shivaji Nagar station confirmed receiving the application but provided no further details. The complaint was filed after India's dominant win over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday, where India won by 96 runs. This victory was historic, as India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to secure consecutive titles, and the first nation to lift the trophy three times.

When Sania Mirza faced legal trouble

In 2008, Sania Mirza faced a controversy regarding 'flag disrespect.' She received a court summons in Bhopal after a citizen complained under the Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act. The issue stemmed from a photograph taken at the Hopman Cup in Perth, where her bare feet appeared near the national flag.