"It has come to the notice of the Drugs Control department that several persons/firm are giving advertisements in the Electronic media ... As well as in the print media about certain drugs/articles/machines whose usage, as per their claims, would lead to the cure of such diseases, disorder or condition.
"These advertisements are often published with a view to misleading the general public," the Delhi government told a bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw.
The government also said that besides the I&B Ministry, it has also written to Press Information Bureau, Press Council of India and Advertising Standards Council of India for bringing the information to the knowledge of "media houses that such commercials are in contravention" of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.
"The Act prohibits the advertisements of certain drugs for treatment of certain diseases, disorders ...," the Drugs Control Department said.
Satisfied with the steps taken by the government, the court disposed of a PIL seeking prosecution of self-proclaimed godman Nirmaljeet Singh Narula, alias Nirmal Baba, after it was told that no material was found to try him for allegedly duping people in the garb of providing magical treatment.
The government filed its reply after the High Court had on May 16 issued notices to it and others on the PIL filed by A K Jain through his lawyer Sugriv Dubey. (More)
