Bhiwani (Haryana), June 30 (IANS) The use of the national emblem on the wedding card of Olympic bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh has landed his father and the printer in trouble, with the police filing a report against them in a court here Thursday.
Bhiwani district police chief Ashwin Shainvi told IANS that a non-cognizable report has been filed in a court here for the improper use of the national emblem.
‘During investigation, we found that it was a not a cognizable offence. So we could not file an FIR (first information report). We have filed a report in the court,’ he said.
The report mentions the name of Vijender’s father Mahipal Singh and the printer, Shriniwas Acharya.
Shainvi said that though the complaint filed with the police had mentioned the name of the boxer, the report filed in the court did not have it.
An NGO had filed the complaint, based on media reports, about the printing of the national emblem on Vijender’s wedding reception invitation card.
The reception was hosted by the boxer’s family at Kaluwas village in Bhiwani district May 18, around 300 km from Chandigarh.
Vijender Singh had married a Delhi-based girl May 17 this year. The marriage was attended by several VIPs, including Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi.
The invitation cards were distributed on behalf of Vijender’s father Mahipal Singh. There was an image of national emblem, an adaptation from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Asoka, and ‘Satyamev Jayate’ was written under it.
‘This is a minor issue and it was printed by mistake,’ Manoj, Vijender’s brother, had said earlier.
Incidentally, Vijender is himself a serving deputy superintendent of police (DSP) level in the Haryana Police.
The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005 mentions that no person shall use the emblem for private purpose of any trade, business etc or in the title of any patent, or in any trademark or design, except in such cases and under such conditions as may be prescribed.
The Act also states that no person shall use the emblem or any colourable imitation, thereof, in any manner which tends to create an impression that it relates to the government or that it is an official order of state or central government.
As per the law, the violator can be awarded a rigorous imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of Rs. 5,000 or both.
