Dr A Kennedy hoisting the national flag, as directed by the Madras high court

VELLORE: The Madras high court has granted bail to medical officer (MO) of the Government Hospital in Ambur Dr A Kennedy in a case filed against him for allegedly insulting the national flag, with a condition that he hoists the national flag for a week.

Dr Kennedy approached the high court seeking bail in connection with the case filed against him for allegedly insulting the national flag during an Independence Day programme held on the premises of the GH on August 15.

When the national anthem was hoisted and the national anthem being sung, Dr Kennedy was seen talking over the phone. The video of the government doctor speaking over the phone was circulated on the social media.

Following this, former councillor of Ambur municipality Suresh Babu filed a complaint with the Ambur town police.

Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 against him on charges of disrespecting the national anthem and flag. Dr Kennedy went on leave following the incident.

He surrendered before the HC and filed a petition seeking bail.

HC judge Justice P N Prakash directed the petitioner to hoist the national flag every day at 10am for a week at the Ambur Government Hospital and salute the flag and sing the national anthem. The respondent (Ambur Town police) has been directed to monitor this and report to the judicial magistrate in Ambur daily, reads the HC order.

Adhering to the court order, the MO of the Ambur GH hoisted the national flag on Tuesday in the presence of police personnel.

