Police complaint filed against UP man for wearing Pakistan jersey in India's Asia Cup match

While the Indian fans feasted on their team's thrilling victory in the epic clash against Pakistan, an Uttar Pradesh businessman has found himself amidst controversy after pictures of him donning a Pakistani jersey during the India-Pakistan match in the 2022 Asia Cup in Dubai surfaced on the internet.

Sanyam Jaiswal, a 42-year-old liquor businessman operating in UP, traveled to the UAE from Bareilly to watch the high-profile clash AND bought the Paksitani jersey as all the Indian jerseys were sold out. 

"After I failed to get an Indian jersey at the store outside the stadium, I bought a Pakistan jersey. I thought I would tease Pakistani fans by shouting Hindustan Zindabad while wearing their national colours. I did not know such a harmless thing would result in misery for me," Jaiswal told NDTV in a WhatsApp call from Dubai.

But the Bareilly man was unaware of the stir his little prank would cause as Jaiswal's family started getting threat calls from several Indian fans, who were upset by his act of wearing the Paksitani jersey. He was labeled as a ‘supporter of Pakistan’ after his pictures went viral on social media.

The UP-based businessman expressed his disappointment after his family received death threats

Many fans accused him of being a Pakistan sympathizer and appealed to the senior police officers to register a complaint against the Indian businessman. Talking to NDTV, Satyartha Aniruddha Pankaj, SSP of Bareilly, clarified that since the incident took place in Dubai, which is outside India and thus outside the jurisdiction of Indian authorities, an FIR can't be registered against Jaiswal on the basis of complaints on Twitter.

Jaiswal was infuriated by the name-calling on social media and the death threats given to his family. He expressed his disappointment as his pictures were circulated on social media prior to his permission.

Meanwhile, an office-bearer from Bareilly named Himanshu Patel has sent a complaint to the Bareilly SSP, the inspector general of police and the additional director general of police, Bareilly zone, pleading for action against Jaiswal.

“The matter has been brought to our notice but since the incident occurred outside the country, further action will be taken in accordance with directions from the government,” Bareilly SSP Satyarth Aniruddha Pankaj was quoted by The Wire on August 31.