The control room of Bhavnagar district police received a call at around 11 am complaining a man selling second-hand two-wheelers in Navapara area was using the Tricolour as a piece of cloth to cover his vehicles. In response, a team of Nilam Baug police station rushed to the spot and found the national flag wrapped over two-wheelers.The man was identified as Abdul Patadiya (27).
He was arrested immediately and booked under Section-2 of The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and The Flag Code of India, 2002 which prohibits drapping vehicles with the Tricolour.
“Patadiya said he was aware the piece of cloth he was using as a cover for his vehicles was the National Flag. However, he claims, he did not know that using the Tricolour in that manner was an offence,” Raju Chaudhary, police inspector of Nilam Baug told The Indian Express over phone.
Police said the Flag had worne away. “Patadiya says he did not know exactly where he got the Flag from but admits he had been using it for quite sometime. It is possible he might have got it from somebody after some election. But we would be in a position to say anything with certainty only after investigation is over,” the police inspector further said.
Chaudhary added that the arrested man was not educated much now. “He keeps three-four vehicles and sells them on footpath,” said the PI.
Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 relates to insulting the National Flag and provides for a jail term extending up to three years for offenders.
Police said they would produce Patadiya in court tomorrow.
Source : Indian Express
