MP Police files FIR against Amazon Sellers over tricolour-themed products
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Bhopal: E-commerce giant Amazon is facing backlash on micro-blogging site Twitter for selling products having the Indian National Flag imprinted on them.
Following massive criticisms, Bhopal police on Tuesday evening registered an FIR against unidentified sellers on Amazon after it emerged that some products, including shoes, featuring images of the Indian flag were being sold on its platform in contravention of rules.
The action came hours after Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said the government has directed the police to register an FIR against officials of Amazon and its owner for allegedly selling products with images or imprint of the tricolour on them.
Amazon faced the ire of a section of Indian social media users over merchandising some products, including apparel and food items, that feature images of the Indian flag, with some saying that using the tricolour in such a way was an insult and a violation of the country's flag code.
"It has come to my notice that our national flag is being used on products being sold by the online e-commerce platform Amazon. It (the national flag) has been used on shoes... this can not be tolerated," Mr Mishra, who is the state government spokesman, told reporters here.
Prima facie, it is a violation of the National Flag Code; he said.
"I have directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to file an FIR against Amazon's officials and owner," Mr Mishra added.
"Following a complaint, Bhopal's Crime Branch has registered an FIR under section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Act and section 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (related to public mischief) against unidentified sellers on Amazon and taking further steps," Bhopal Police Commissioner Makrand Deuskar told PTI.
The FIR, quoting the 26-year-old complainant, said the unidentified sellers have posted products, including T-shirts, mugs and shoes with the national flag printed on them on Amazon, which has hurt the sentiments of countrymen and insulted the tricolour.
Amazon had on Monday said it remains committed to take necessary action against sellers who may have listed any non-compliant products.