Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya is facing legal scrutiny after celebrating India’s ICC T20 World Cup victory with a friend on the field.
During the celebrations, Pandya wrapped the Indian national flag around himself and celebrated alongside his female friend, Mahika Sharma, a gesture some have described as indecent.
Advocate Wajid Khan filed a petition requesting the registration of an FIR against Pandya, claiming that the cricketer’s act of wrapping the tricolour on his body and celebrating in the stadium amounted to obscene conduct.
The lawyer urged Pune police to take action under charges of disrespecting the national flag.
According to reports in the Indian media, the petition emphasises that Pandya’s behaviour violated relevant laws and called for legal action, stressing that every citizen has a duty to uphold the dignity of the national flag.
Wajid Khan cited Section 2 of the National Flag Act, 1971, which mandates respect for the Indian flag.
“The petition has been accepted. It remains to be seen what action will be taken,” the lawyer added.
The incident occurred during India’s victory celebrations after defeating New Zealand in the final, when Pandya and Mahika Sharma were present on the field.
This was the third T20 World Cup win by the Indian Cricket Team. In the final India beat New Zealand by 96 runs.
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India batted first and gave a massive target of 255 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma batted brilliantly.
Sanju Samson scored a massive 89 runs of 46 balls. Other than the batters the bowlers also performed well with Jasprit Bumrah taking 4 wickets.
Also read: India beat New Zealand by 96 runs to claim 3rd T20 World Cup title
