Cuttack, March 8: A local court today issued summons to model-turned-actress Pia Trivedi for allegedly disrespecting the national flag during her road trip from Chandigarh to Manali on a Harley Davidson bike.

The summons were issued by sub-divisional judicial magistrate (Sadar Cuttack), Satya Ranjan Pradhan, following a case filed by a Cuttack-based lawyer Shivshankar Mohanty under the Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act (1971).

Mohanty has alleged that Trivedi disrespected the national tricolor by lying down on the bike in a manner so that her left leg was on the flag and her head on another flag, which he felt was derogatory and hurt him. The complainant submitted a photograph of the model published in an English daily on October 28, 2012 as evidence.

The court, after recording the statements of Mohanty and a witness asked the Noida (Uttar Pradesh)-based model to appear before it on April 8.

“It appears that the complainant has made out a prima facie case against the accused under Section 2 of Prevention of Insult to the National Honour Act (1971). Hence cognisance of the offence is taken. Issue process to the accused fixing 08.04.2013 for her appearance”, the SDJM said in his order, a copy of which was made available today.

The order was issued on February 27.