Hardik Pandya faces complaint for alleged ‘insult’ to Indian flag after T20 World Cup win

Hardik Pandya has landed in legal trouble after a Pune-based advocate filed a police complaint alleging disrespect to the Indian national flag during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory celebrations in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The complaint was submitted at the Shivaji Nagar Police Station and relates to India’s on-field celebrations at the Narendra Modi Stadium after the team lifted the T20 World Cup for a record third time.

A police officer confirmed on Wednesday that advocate Wajid Khan had filed the application seeking action in the matter but did not provide further details.

According to the complaint, several videos of the team’s post-match celebrations have gone viral on social media. In one such clip, Pandya is seen celebrating with the Indian tricolour draped over his shoulders while dancing and running across the field.

The complaint further alleges that during the celebrations, Pandya was seen lying on a stage alongside his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma while the tricolour remained draped over him, which the complainant claims amounts to disrespect towards the national flag.

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

He cited provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which requires citizens to maintain the dignity of the national flag. “Hardik Pandya was so lost in the celebration of his victory that he was lying with his girlfriend while wearing the national flag. I believe it is an insult to the national flag,” he said.

Khan added that police initially told him the incident took place in Ahmedabad, but he argued the complaint could still be filed in Pune because the national flag represents the entire country.

“I have filed a complaint with the Shivaji Nagar police station. They have accepted my complaint and provided me with a copy. Let’s see what happens next,” he said.

The incident has sparked mixed reactions on social media. While many fans dismissed the controversy as part of exuberant celebrations following a historic win, others said the national flag should have been handled with greater care.

India defeated New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final to claim their third T20 World Cup title, becoming the first team to win the tournament three times and the first to lift the trophy on home soil.