Flag insult: Another case against Mandira in MP

Indore, May 3 (UNI) A local court today recorded the statement of a petitioner who accused actress-turned-sports anchor Mandira Bedi of insulting the National Flag.

Petitioner Indrajeet Singh Bhatiya deposed before Judicial Magistrate Shubhra Singh who fixed May 9 as the next date of hearing.

Mr Bhatiya urged the Bench to take action against Mandira, dress designer Puneet Nanda and a private TV channel under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, sections 120, 153(a), 268 and 420(a) of the Indian Penal Code.

On May 1, a petition was submitted in a Bhopal court against cricket player Sachin Tendulkar, Mandira and three others for insulting the Tricolour.

The plea, under the same Act, was submitted in the court of Judicial Magistrate Pradeep Soni by Advocate R K Pande who represented Mr Chandra Prakash Rai.

A TV channel reported that Tendulkar cut a cake in the colours of the Flag in March during Team India's stay in the West Indies. A sari, worn by Mandira on a TV programme, had the Tricolour printed at the bottom. The anchor later apologised for her ''inadvertent'' mistake.

After issuing notices to all the accused -- including Nanda; the Director, Sony Setmax TV and the Sahaja Yoga Society's Nirmala Devi -- the Bench fixed May 21 as the next date for hearing.

UNI