The flag lies crumpled on the roof of the toilet. Picture by Main Uddin Chisti

Cooch Behar, March 12: A national flag was found lying crumpled on the roof of the toilet in an office building located on the court premises, prompting members of the bar association here to demand a probe into the matter.

The lawyers said people had spotted the flag yesterday and sent word to the administration. However, when nothing was done, the lawyers retrieved the flag and kept it in their possession.

“We will not tolerate such dishonour of the national flag. On behalf of the bar association, we demand an official inquiry into the incident and punishment for the guilty,” said Ashok Ghosh, the secretary of the lawyers’ body.

Ghosh even threatened to take legal action against the administration, which he said did not do anything to retrieve the flag despite being informed about it.

Anyone found guilty of dishonouring the Tricolour is liable to be punished under the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act, 1971 and sent to prison for three to seven years.

The building on top of which the flag was discovered houses the offices of the civil defence, regional transport and other government departments.

The court building and the lock-up are located right next to it.

The subdivisional officer, headquarters, Jayanta Maity, said any act that dishonours the national flag could not be tolerated.

“We are definitely going to hold an inquiry into this incident and find out why the flag was not retrieved despite people spotting it yesterday and informing the administration,” Maity said.