<p>The Karnataka High Court was today critical of former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a case filed against him for allegedly "denigrating" a Hindu god as it decried tendency of celebrities signing ads just for money without giving a thought to the consequences.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"A celebrity and a cricketer like Dhoni should know the consequences of hurting the religious sentiments of people. He should have known the consequences of doing such ads," Justice A N Venugopal Gowda said in his oral observation.<br /><br />The complainant, Jayakumar Hiremath, a social activist, had alleged that Dhoni is seen on the cover of a business magazine as Lord Vishnu, holding several things, including a shoe in his hands.<br /><br />During the hearing, Justice Gowda said the celebrities are signing ads just for money without giving a thought to the consequences. "These celebrities are only signing ads without any responsibility. Their aim is to earn easy money without considering the problems it may create," he added.<br /><br />Advocate for the petitioner (Dhoni) countered the submissions made by the prosecution, saying that he has not taken any money.<br /><br />In response, Justice Gowda directed Dhoni to file an affidavit declaring that he had not taken money for appearing on the cover page of the magazine.<br /><br />The court posted the matter to August 17.<br /><br />Taking cognisance of the complaint filed by Hiremath, the Sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) had registered a case under section 295 A (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) along with 34 of Indian Penal Code against Dhoni.<br /><br />Later, the ACMM issued summons to Dhoni to appear before the court, which he did not and instead moved the High Court against its direction.</p>
<p>The Karnataka High Court was today critical of former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a case filed against him for allegedly "denigrating" a Hindu god as it decried tendency of celebrities signing ads just for money without giving a thought to the consequences.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"A celebrity and a cricketer like Dhoni should know the consequences of hurting the religious sentiments of people. He should have known the consequences of doing such ads," Justice A N Venugopal Gowda said in his oral observation.<br /><br />The complainant, Jayakumar Hiremath, a social activist, had alleged that Dhoni is seen on the cover of a business magazine as Lord Vishnu, holding several things, including a shoe in his hands.<br /><br />During the hearing, Justice Gowda said the celebrities are signing ads just for money without giving a thought to the consequences. "These celebrities are only signing ads without any responsibility. Their aim is to earn easy money without considering the problems it may create," he added.<br /><br />Advocate for the petitioner (Dhoni) countered the submissions made by the prosecution, saying that he has not taken any money.<br /><br />In response, Justice Gowda directed Dhoni to file an affidavit declaring that he had not taken money for appearing on the cover page of the magazine.<br /><br />The court posted the matter to August 17.<br /><br />Taking cognisance of the complaint filed by Hiremath, the Sixth Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) had registered a case under section 295 A (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) along with 34 of Indian Penal Code against Dhoni.<br /><br />Later, the ACMM issued summons to Dhoni to appear before the court, which he did not and instead moved the High Court against its direction.</p>