Misleading Advertisements

Emami fined Rs 15 lakh in decade-old Fair & Handsome misleading ads case

The complaint mentioned that despite regular use of the fairness cream, as per the instructions on the packaging, it did not lead to fairer skin as advertised

CCPA slaps Rs 5 lakh fine on Shankar IAS Academy for misleading ads

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a Rs 500,000 fine on Shankar IAS Academy for misleading advertisements related to the 2022 civil service exam, the regulator said on Sunday. The CCPA, led by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare, found that the coaching institute made false claims about its success rate and the nature of courses taken by successful candidates. In its advertisement for the 2022 UPSC Civil Service exam, Shankar IAS Academy claimed "336 selections out of 933 at All India Level", "40 candidates in Top 100", and "2 candidates have cleared from Tamil Nadu, of which 37 studied at Shankar IAS Academy". The institute also advertised itself as the "Best IAS Academy in India". However, the CCPA discovered that Shankar IAS Academy "deliberately concealed" information about the specific courses taken by the successful candidates it advertised for. "This practice consequently attracts consumers into buying paid courses advertised by the coaching institutes,"

Supreme Court halts Ayush Ministry notification over misleading drug ad

The notification by the Ayush Ministry was in direct breach of the Supreme Court's earlier orders that mandate advertisers to submit a self-declaration before broadcasting or publishing ads

SC closes contempt case as Ramdev, Balkrishna agree to end misleading ads

Patanjali misleading ads case: The lawsuit accused yoga guru Ramdev of undermining public trust in allopathic treatments and promoting misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic

SC asks Uttarakhand govt to decide on suspension of 14 Patanjali products

Licences for 14 Ayurvedic products by Patanjali and Divya Pharmacy were suspended by the Uttarakhand government. However, on July 1, the state government revoked its suspension order

Misleading ads case: SC says public figures must act with responsibility

It is imperative for celebrities and public figures to act responsibly while endorsing a consumer product, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday as it clamped down on misleading advertisements. The apex court directed that before an advertisement is permitted to be issued, a self-declaration be obtained from advertisers on the line of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994. Rule 7 of the 1994 law stipulates an advertisement code that says advertisements carried should be designed to be conformity with the laws of the country. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah also directed the Union ministries concerned to apprise it of misleading advertisements and the action taken or proposed to be taken against them by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). "Endorsements by celebrities, influencers and public figures go a long way in promoting products and it is imperative for them to act with responsibility while endorsing any product in the course of advertisemen

SC terms IMA prez's comments on top court in Patanjali case 'unacceptable'

The Supreme Court on Tuesday termed as "very, very unacceptable" the statements made by Indian Medical Association (IMA) president R V Asokan targeting the apex court in a recent interview where he answered questions about Patanjali Ayurved's misleading advertisements case. Expressing displeasure over Asokan's comments a day before the top court was slated to the hear the matter, a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah sought his response on an application filed by Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Patanjali, told the bench that they have filed an application urging the court to take judicial notice of the "wanton and unwarranted comments" made by the IMA president. "This is a very serious issue. They are trying to divert the course of justice Your lordships asked one or two queries and see how they are reacting as if nobody can ask anything," Rohatgi said. Rohatgi said at the last hearing, he had handed over to the court the ...

Uttarakhand Licensing Authority faces SC ire for inaction in Patanjali case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for its "inaction" for six years in the misleading advertisements case involving Patanjali Ayurved Limited, saying it has to be honest with the court if it wanted "sympathy and compassion". While expressing dissatisfaction over the explanation offered in the affidavits, including the one filed by the State Licensing Authority (SLA), the apex court questioned why the authority has "woken up" only after the court's April 10 order. "The long and short of it is, when you want to move, you move like lightning and if you don't want to move, you drag your feet forever and ever. This is what it shows," a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah observed after perusing the affidavit filed by the SLA. During the hearing, the bench appreciated the "marked improvement" in the unconditional public apology published in newspapers by yoga guru Ramdev, his aide Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved L

SC appreciates 'marked improvement' in public apology by Ramdev, Patanjali

The Supreme Court on Tuesday appreciated the "marked improvement" in the unconditional public apology published in newspapers by yoga guru Ramdev, his aide Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd in the misleading advertisements case. A bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev, Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, that language of the apology was adequate and the names were also there in it. "I don't know the second apology is on whose vetting. There has been marked improvement," Justice Amanullah said, adding, "We appreciate that. Now finally they have understood." He said earlier when the apology was published, only the company's name was there. "Now the names have come. It is a marked improvement, we appreciate that," Justice Amanullah observed, adding, "The language is adequate." During the hearing, the apex court asked the firm's counsel as to why they have e-filed the apology published in newspapers when the

SC rejects 'unconditional and unqualified apology' by Patanjali Ayurved MD

The apex court says it does not want to be "so generous"

Ramdev, Balkrishna file 'unconditional' apology in Patanjali ad case

The court had also slammed the Central government and asked why it chose to keep its eyes shut when Patanjali claimed that allopathy medicine offered no protection against Covid-19

Lip service, broke every barrier: SC pulls up Ramdev in misleading ad case

The court also came down on the Centre and asked why it 'chose to keep its eyes shut' when Patanjali claimed that allopathy medicine offered no protection against Covid-19

Misleading ads case: Patanjali MD Acharya Balkrishna submits apology to SC

In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, Balkrishna apologised for the misleading ads and claimed that the intention of the company was to solely promote Ayurveda

Misleading ads case: SC orders Ramdev, Balakrishna to appear in person

Patanjali Ayurved has faced scrutiny from the top court for disseminating misleading advertisements that claim to treat medical conditions, a violation of the Magic Remedies Act, 1954

Entire country is taken for a ride: SC contempt notice to Patanjali on ads

Misleading ads banned, Centre told to list out steps against false claims

'Sitting with eyes closed': SC rebukes Centre over misleading Patanjali ads

The Supreme Court had warned Patanjali Ayurved against disseminating 'false' and 'misleading' claims in its advertisements

CCPA issued 20 notices to IAS coaching institutes for misleading ads

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued 20 notices to IAS coaching institutes across the country for misleading advertisements and imposed penalties on eight such institutes, said Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, in his written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.The Minister said that the Department of Consumer Affairs is continuously working for consumer protection and empowerment of consumers through the enactment of progressive legislation. With a view to modernising the framework governing consumer protection in the new era of globalization, technologies, e-commerce markets etc Consumer Protection Act, of 1986 was repealed and the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 was enacted.Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, misleading advertisement in relation to any product or service is defined as an advertisement, that-- (i) falsely describes such product or service; or (ii) gives a false guarantee to,

RBI cautions against misleading advertisements on loan waiver offers

The Reserve Bank on Monday cautioned public not to fall prey to misleading advertisements related to loan waiver offers in print media as well as on social media platforms. In a statement, the RBI said it has noticed certain misleading advertisements enticing borrowers by offering loan waivers. These entities, it said, seem to be actively promoting many such campaigns across the print media as well as social media platforms. There are also reports of such entities charging a service/legal fee for issuing 'debt waiver certificates' without any authority. The central bank further said that in certain locations, campaigns related to debt waiver offers are being run by a few persons, which undermine the efforts of banks in enforcing their rights. "Such entities are misrepresenting that dues to financial institutions including banks need not be repaid. Such activities undermine the stability of financial institutions and, above all, the interest of the depositors," the RBI said. RBI .

CCPA probing 20 IAS coaching institutes for unfair trade practices

Consumer protection regulator CCPA on Monday said it is probing 20 IAS coaching centres for alleged misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices of using toppers and successful candidates' names and pictures to influence prospective aspirants. Briefing media, Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Chairperson Nidhi Khare said out of 20 institutes, a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each has also been imposed on four centres -- Rau's IAS Study Circle, Chahal Academy, IQRA IAS and IAS Baba. Notices have been issued to Vajirao & Reddy Institute, Chahal Academy, Khan Study Group IAS, APTI Plus, Analog IAS, Shankar IAS, Sriram's IAS, BYJU's IAS, Unacademy, NEXT IAS, Drishti IAS, IQRA IAS, Vision IAS, IAS Baba, Yojana IAS, Plutus IAS, ALS IAS, Rau's IAS Study Circle and Dhishti IAS, she added. "The notices have been issued in the last one-and-half years for deliberately concealing important information about successful students. We have imposed a penalty on four centres, while other ..

Australian court fines Dell unit $6.5 mn for misleading customers

Dell has been penalised for making misleading representations on its website about discounts for add-on computer monitors