Hardik Pandya could face action for alleged tweet on BR Ambedkar
Cricketer Hardik Pandya is in trouble over a tweet on BR Ambedkar, the architect of the constitution, which was posted from a parody account. A court in Rajasthan's Jodhpur has directed the police to file a First Investigation Report against the cricketer, but a copy of the complaint shows that the comment was never posted from his verified Twitter handle.
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Hardik Pandya's twitter handle is @hardikpandya7, the court order is based on a complaint that refers to the handle @sirhardik3777
"We are yet to receive the orders of the court and once we get it, I will be in a position to comment," Rajesh Yadav, a police officer in Jaipur told NDTV. "Further action will be taken according to law," he added.
The court had responded to a petition by DR Meghwal, who said Hardik Pandya's tweet was offensive and hurt the sentiment of people.
The comment that prompted the complaint was tweeted from @sirhardik3777, on December 26.
In statement, Hardik Pandya denied that he had posted the tweet. "The tweet in question was posted by a fake account using my name and display image," he said.
Mr Meghwal, who says he is a member of the Rashtriya Bhim Sena, has reportedly said in his complaint that such a comment by a leading cricketer is derogatory and sets a bad example. The court has asked the police to register a case under a law on crimes against SC/STs (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes).
The 24-year-old all-rounder from Baroda has played six Tests for India has represented India in 38 ODIs. Pandya was retained by Mumbai Indians for the 11th edition of Indian Premier League.