A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging misuse of national emblems and flag for political benefit. The court is slated to hear the matter on March 12.
Filed by one Ram Samudre, it has sought action against the party under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act and the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act. It has also prayed that the court restrain the party leaders from using the national emblems in the future.
“The respondents have been using the national flag and emblem to gain political mileage. This is a violation under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act and the State Emblem of India (Pohibition of Improper Use) Act,” the PIL has alleged.
It has been filed against party leaders Arvind Kejriwal, Mayank Gandhi and Anjali Damania. It states that the party uses national emblems on its websites and during its political rallies, which leads to an impression that they are the party's symbols.
It was mentioned before a division bench headed by Chief Justice Mohit Shah on Monday.