Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and arrested a man in Doda district on Tuesday for allegedly dishonouring the national flag, officials said.
The accused, Farooq Ahmed, son of Mohammad Ramzan Banday and a resident of the Nagri area in Doda, was detained after a video surfaced on social media showing him using the national flag to clean the window glass of his house.
Police stated that the act prima facie constitutes an offence under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which prohibits any action that disrespects the dignity of the national flag.
Acting on directions from the Doda Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), an FIR was lodged, and the accused was taken into custody. Officials confirmed that further investigation into the matter is underway.
The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, read with the Flag Code of India, 2002, prohibits acts such as burning, mutilating, defacing, trampling, or using the national flag as drapery (except in specific ceremonial cases), clothing below the waist, or allowing it to touch the ground.
Other prohibited actions include dipping the flag in salute, putting inscriptions on it, draping it over vehicles, or displaying it inverted.
Under the Act, a person convicted of such an offence may face imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine, or both. For repeat offences, the punishment can extend to one year in prison.
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