A Bangalore-based RTI activist has filed a case against Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and five editors of an English magazine for “hurting the sentiments of the Hindu community.”

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Jayakumar Hiremath, with Hindu Jagaran Vedike activists by his side, took exception to a photo of Dhoni that was morphed by a magazine to make him look like deity Vishnu with multiple hands.

The photo, which appeared on the cover of the magazine, shows the morphed image holding a packet of potato wafers, a cola bottle, a bottle of engine oil and a sports sneaker. The caption reads, “God of big deals: In the game of endorsements, M.S. Dhoni is supreme…”

Mr. Hiremath filed the case under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code (intent to insult the religion of any class). A local court took cognisance of the complaint and ordered the police to register an FIR. The next hearing is on June 12.

Mr. Hiremath, however, failed to explain how Dhoni could be responsible for the photo morphed by a magazine. He kept referring to the photo as an advertisement sponsored by the cricketer.

Speaking on behalf of Mr. Hiremath, Wing Commander (retd.) G.B. Athri, who contested the recent Karnataka Assembly elections as an Independent from Padmanabhnagar, said if Dhoni had not objected to the photograph, then he was party to its publication.