The Supreme Court on Monday quashed criminal proceedings against cricketer MS Dhoni for an allegedly portrayal as Lord Vishnu on a magazine cover page.

In January 2016, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was issued a non-bailable arrest warrant by Anantapur Court for being shown as Lord Vishnu on the cover of Business Todaymagazine in April 2013.

The complaint had been filed by social activist Jayakumar Hiremath who had alleged that Dhoni was seen on the cover as Lord Vishnu, holding several things, including a shoe in his hands.

Taking cognisance of the complaint filed by Hiremath, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate had registered a case against Dhoni under section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) along with 34 of the IPC.

Dhoni had moved to the Supreme Court against Karnataka high court order which had refused to quash criminal proceedings against him.

In September 2014, the Supreme Court had provided relief to Indian ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the Lord Vishnu case. It has stayed criminal proceedings against Dhoni who has been accused of hurting religious sentiments.

[source;rediff.com]