Indian sports law update - Sania Mirza, IPL, NEO Sports Broadcast

All cases against Sania Mirza dismissed

A DNA India article from 2010 gives further insight into the three cases filed in 2008 against Mirza, which were initially postponed and then dismissed on Friday, February 28, 2014.

Sania Mirza, did not stand at “attention” during the Indian national anthem at a women’s tennis event in 2008, where Mirza was chief guest. Mirza should have been standing with her hands by her side in order to be standing at attention; however, at the event in 2008, Mirza was standing with her arms behind her during the national anthem, accordingly an article in Pune Mirror.

Mirza’s actions at this event resulted in her potentially facing consequences for “allegedly insulting [the] national anthem,” based on the three cases filed against her under The Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act 1971 (“The Act”). This act addresses the expected behavior towards, and proper use of, the Indian National flag and the Constitution of India in any “public place” as defined under Section 2, Explanation 3 of The Act. If found guilty, an offense under The Act is are punishable with three years imprisonment, a fine, and/or both.

On February 28th, all allegations from 2008 against tennis star, Sania Mirza, were dismissed, by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sita Ram, according to a Times of India article.

Source articles:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/off-the-field/Court-dismisses-cases-against-Sania-Mirza/articleshow/31184968.cms

https://www.punemirror.in/article/56/2014030220140302015038125669c5c1c/National-anthem-row-court-dismisses-cases-against-Sania.html

https://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report-hearing-postponed-in-cases-against-sania-mirza-1443254

NEO Sports Broadcast will not renew contract with The One Alliance