The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre and Board of Control for Cricket in India on a special leave petition alleging misuse of national flag by cricket fans during the matches played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and seeking directions for enforcement of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (PINH) Act.
A Bench of Chief Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice Ms. Ranjana Desai issued notice on the SLP filed by Kamal Dey against a judgment of the Calcutta High Court refusing to interfere in the matter.
The Bench also issued notice to the Cricket Association of Bengal and the West Bengal government.
Eden Gardens matches
The petitioner said his grievance related to incidents of dishonour to the flag in Eden Gardens during the India vs England test match held in December 2012 and the one-day cricket match on January 3. He alleged that cricket fans by draping the national flag either on the shoulder or on the head/body are blatantly violating the Act. He also alleged that the flag was displayed wrongly. The High Court rejected the plea stating that it was not an intentional disrespect to the flag.
