A Delhi court on Wednesday took cognizance of a complaint against PM Narendra Modi for allegedly "insulting" the national flag last year on International Yoga Day and during his visit to the United States.

"I take cognizance of the complaint. Fix the matter for May 9," Metropolitan Magistrate Snigdha Sarvaria said, asking the complainant to depose and produce Ashish Sharma, the complainant, who has sought the court to direct police to file an FIR against Modi. In his complaint, Sharma said the PM had "disrespected" the national flag at the Yoga Day event held at India Gate by using it as a handkerchief.

"He (Modi) was again careless at the time of handing over the national flag to Barack Obama when he signed over the national flag which is against National Flag Code," the complaint said.