As per case facts, the Petitioner, a school Principal, faced a criminal complaint alleging he disrespected the National Flag by appearing in a WhatsApp status with slippers on it during ... Gandhi Jayanthi. He contended that students edited his photo and circulated it without his knowledge or intention, likely due to animosity, leading to the registration of an FIR under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honours Act, 1971. The case came before the High Court on a petition to quash the FIR. The question arose whether the alleged act constituted an offense under Section 2 of the Act, especially concerning the requirement of 'mens rea' or intentional disrespect. Finally, the High Court, relying on precedents, held that 'mens rea' is a key ingredient for the offense. Since there was no deliberate act or intention on the part of the Petitioner to insult the National Flag, and his explanation of the picture being edited by students was plausible, the Court concluded that further investigation was unnecessary and quashed the FIR, emphasizing the lack of intentional disrespect.