Supreme Court Cracks Down on Misleading Advertisements

The Supreme Court has mandated states and union territories to establish a grievance redressal system within two months to address complaints against misleading advertisements. The directive is aimed at protecting the public from harm caused by such ads and involves updating enforcement of the 1954 Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.

The Supreme Court has issued a significant directive to combat misleading advertisements, urging states and union territories to set up a grievance redressal system within two months. This system will address complaints regarding ads prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954, a law that has seen little enforcement over the years.

Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized the potential societal harm of misleading ads and underscored the urgency of halting them to protect the public. The court also directed the appointment of gazetted officers with authority to enforce the 1954 Act's provisions, including search and seizure operations.

To further strengthen the enforcement framework, the states are instructed to sensitize police forces on the Act's provisions. In tandem, a central dashboard will be created to display actions taken against objectionable ads. This decision follows a plea by the Indian Medical Association regarding derogatory campaigns against modern medicine and Covid vaccination.

(With inputs from agencies.)