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.

Later in the day, Sania tendered an unequivocal apology for hurting religious sentiments.

"I would like to apologise to all my brothers and sisters and respected elders who are anguished by my unwittingly entering a portion of the land belonging to Mecca Masjid," Sania said in a letter to the Imam of the Masjid.

As Muslim organisations and puritans raised objections over Sania appearing in the shooting in the mosque premises, the tennis sensation said she was not aware that entering the outside gates of a mosque was also seriously objectionable.

"While I am fully aware that a woman must not enter the sanctity of the mosque, I was unaware that even entering the outside gates of a mosque was seriously objectionable, especially without permission, which I was assured by the agency they possessed.

"However, I would like to unequivocally tender my apology to all my brothers and sisters for hurting their sentiments," she said.

Image: Sania Mirza during the shooting of the ad film at the historic Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad.
Photograph: Snaps India Also See: Sania shoots at Mecca Masjid

Back

|

Next