New Delhi: Virat Kohli's Pakistani fan, who's facing up to 10 years of imprisonment after being arrested for hoisting the Indian national flag atop his home in Punjab Province, was on Thursday sent to jail on judicial remand.
22-year-old Umar Draz, a tailor by profession from Okara, was produced before a district court today, and was subsequently sent to jail on judicial remand. He was arrested on January 26 when India beat Australia in the first T20I at Adelaide, thanks to Kohli's unbeaten 90 runs.
Draz pleaded before the judge that he hoisted the Indian flag only for his love for Kohli.
Soon after the match, police raided Draz’s home on a complaint that he hoisted the Indian flag on the rooftop of his house. And a case under section 123-A of Pakistan Penal Code and 16 Maintenance of Public Order against him.
The section 123-A (acts of damaging the sovereignty of the country) carries maximum punishment of 10 years in jail or fine or both.
Yesterday, police seized the tri-colour and Kohli’s posters.
Draz had said that he had no idea that he committed a crime, urging the authorities concerned to pardon him. He pleaded that he should be seen as an Indian cricketer’s fan.
