A youth from Peroorkada was arrested on Wednesday by the police on charges of showing disrespect to the national flag and the national anthem.

The police said Salman, 25, and his six friends, including two women, had showed disrespect to the national anthem while it was being played inside a movie theatre in the city on August 18. A few others who saw the group remaining seated and making catcalls when the anthem was being played lodged a complaint with the police. Some of the complainants knew Salman. In the complaint, they mentioned about his posts on Facebook in which he allegedly had posted remarks on Independence Day, which were chargeable under the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act and Section 124 (A) of the IPC.

Y. Kamaruddin, Circle Inspector, Thampanoor, said the police were on the lookout for the six persons who accompanied him in the cinema and a few others who shared his post. Salman was produced in court and remanded in judicial custody.