A Bhopal-based petitioner’s PIL seeking surrender of highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna by iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on grounds that he was appearing in TV commercial was admitted by Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday. Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar might have to return his Bharat Ratna after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed against him in the Madhya Pradesh High Court for allegedly misusing the prestigious honour by appearing in commercial advertisements on television.

Bhopal-based VK Naswah, who is the petitioner in this case, said that was not comfortable with Tendulkar appearing in commercial endorsements and added that either he should return the Bharat Ratna on grounds of propriety or the government should take it back.

“Using this honour for commercial purpose is ‘illegitimate’,” he argued.

The 42-year-old endorses more than 12 brands at the moment; some of the prominent ones being Aviva Life Insurance, Boost, MRF amongst others.

Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket in November 2013 after enjoying an illustrious 24-year international career, became the first sportsperson to receive the Bharat Ratna when the award was conferred on him last February. He ended his international career at the top of the run-scoring charts in both Test and ODI cricket, having scored 15921 runs from 200 Tests and 18426 runs from 463 ODIs.

The icon was preferred for the award over hockey legend Major Dhyanchand.