Supreme Court Mandates Grievance Mechanisms for Misleading Ads

The Supreme Court orders states and union territories to establish mechanisms to handle grievances against misleading ads. These systems should comply with the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954. States must inform and educate the police, while a self-declaration is required prior to issuing advertisements.

In a decisive move, the Supreme Court directed state governments and union territories to set up grievance redressal mechanisms targeting misleading advertisements. The court emphasized the potential societal harm these ads can inflict, prompting action under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954. Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan spearheaded the directive.

The states have been granted a two-month deadline to establish these mechanisms and ensure public awareness about their availability through regular publicity. Furthermore, the Supreme Court stressed the importance of training police forces to enforce the 1954 act effectively.

This clampdown on misleading advertisements comes in light of a plea by the Indian Medical Association against a campaign by Patanjali and yoga guru Ramdev during the Covid vaccination push, highlighting the urgent need for stricter controls. A self-declaration requirement akin to the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, for advertisers has also been mandated.

(With inputs from agencies.)