Advertising & Marketing Updates

In a strongly reasoned judgment dated June 3, 2025, the Uttarakhand High Court quashed criminal proceedings initiated against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., its founders Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and others. The case, based on alleged misleading advertisements of Ayurvedic products, was dismissed due to procedural and legal infirmities.

In a significant compliance development, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has reported 233 health-related advertisements to the Ministry of AYUSH for alleged violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 (DMR Act). These advertisements were flagged for making misleading, exaggerated, or unsubstantiated claims, particularly in the wellness, Ayurveda, and personal care segments.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued guidelines to prevent the unauthorized listing and sale of radio equipment, especially walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms. These guidelines aim to protect consumers, prevent national security risks, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued an advisory directing all e-commerce platforms to take appropriate measures to ensure that they do not engage in deceptive or unfair trade practices classified as dark patterns.