MS Dhoni accused of hurting sentiments of Hindus; court orders the complainant to record statement

A year-old controversy has reared up its head again. A Delhi court on Monday directed to record the statement of a man who had filed a complaint against Mahendra Singh Dhoni, accusing him of indulging in insulting Hindu religion.

In the April 2013 edition of Business Today, MS Dhoni appeared on the cover of the magazine in the form of a Hindu deity, holding various brand items, with a caption ‘God of Big Deals’. The court had earlier declined the plea which sought an FIR against the Indian skipper, but has now directed the complainant’s statement to be recorded.

The April 2013 issue of Business Today which started the controversy

The court said, "He (complainant) submits that he may be permitted to lead evidence in order to substantiate the allegations made by him in the present complaint. In view of submissions, put up for pre-summoning evidence of the complainant for August 14."

The complainant had sought registration of an FIR against Dhoni, the publisher and the editor of the magazine for allegedly insulting Hindu religion and its Gods and Goddesses. The complainant alleged, "Dhoni has been portrayed as God Vishnu and instead of showing religious things, the magazine is showing several products of various companies including a shoe in his hand. It has insulted the religious sentiments and God."