The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Press Council of India in connection with the use of the picture, the name and the posts of the Prime Minister, the President, Chief Ministers or other authorities in private and classifieds advertisements by private bodies and organisations.
A petition was filed seeking an appropriate direction to the respondents for banning on publishing, printing, telecasting and misuse of the photographs, names of the persons holding Constitutional posts for example, the President, the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Governor, the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers etc., in private classified advertisements.
In this manner, several lakhs and crores of the citizens of this country are exploited by such advertisements which depict messages and photos of the persons holding constitutional posts.
The Delhi High Court has further asked the I&B Ministry and the PCI to file a counter affidavit within four weeks.
The next date of hearing is set on February 19, 2018.