IANS

Bhopal, Jan 8 (mb):: The court of the chief judicial magistrate (CJM) here admitted a case against tennis star Sania Mirza for allegedly dishonouring the national flag during Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

CJM Ajay Shrivastava admitted the case after four witnesses testified having seen a photograph of Sania with her feet in front of India's flag.

Raj Kumar Dubey, a lawyer based here, filed the case on Jan 3.

Sports Minister Mani Shankar Iyer has also been made a party in the case.

"Sania got so involved in watching the match that she forgot where her feet were, and what is the value of the tricolour in the heart of Indians. She should therefore be penalised," Dubey had contended before the court.

"The next date of hearing has been fixed Jan 9 when the court may issue notices to the tennis player and the minister," Dubey said. 

Insulting the national flag is an offence that attracts a maximum sentence of three years, with fine.