A local court in Chandigarh on Thursday has issued summons to cricketer Harbhajan Singh, TV actress Mona Singh and the entertainment channel, ‘Colors’ for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with their Ravana-Sita dance act in a reality show last year.

In his petition filed to the court, local advocate Arvind Thakur said, “After hearing the arguments on the petition, the magistrate issued summons of Harbhajan, Mona and authorities of channel, on which the program was aired, for April 27.”

In October 2008, Thakur and members of local unit of Vishwa Hindu Parisad (VHP) had filed a PIL against the off-spinner under sections 298 (doing actions with a deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of Indian Penal Code.

It may be recalled that soon after the reality show, Akal Takht demanded a public apology from Bhajji.

It had held that to put a tilak (vermilion) on the forehead, to dress like Ravana and dance with a woman publicly was highly disgusting and that the Sikh community could never tolerate this.

The cricketer had already tendered an apology for playing 'Ravana' in the TV show and promised not to repeat such actions.

However, Thakur has now said that the matter against Harbhajan had not ended since he had "declined to come to court to apologise."