Case filed against Sania for Mecca mosque ad

A case has been registered against tennis star Sania Mirza in connection with the shooting for a commercial in the historic Mecca mosque in Hyderabad.

A case was also registered against the advertisement agency for trespass, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Charminar) B Reddenna told PTI on Thursday.

The minority welfare department had filed a complaint with the police that Sania and the agency's crew had entered the 17th century mosque without obtaining permission from the authorities.

Based on the complaint filed by District Minority Welfare Officer Kareemulla, who is the custodian of the mosque, the police registered a case of trespass. The ad film was shot on December 10.

Reddenna said it was a "petty case" involving unauthorised entry and photography and the law will take its course in the matter.

The complaint followed angry reactions from locals, some clerics and Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen activists over Sania's shoot.

The protestors said the tennis player has also hurt religious sentiments by shooting in the mosque "without permission".

This is not the first time Sania invited the wrath of the clerics and the faithful.

A fatwa was issued against her in 2005 for not wearing proper clothes while playing.

However, she defended herself saying she had the freedom to choose her outfit.

Sania had also courted controversy by voicing her support for south Indian actress Khushboo over her controversial remarks on pre-marital sex.