CAIT files complaint against Flipkart, Amitabh Bachchan for 'misleading' ad
New Delhi: (PTI) Traders' body CAIT has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs against a Flipkart advertisement featuring Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan on the upcoming Big Billion Days sale, terming the advertisement as "misleading".
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in its complaint to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) termed the advertisement "misleading" and against the country's small retailers. It has also sought withdrawal of the advertisement, according to a statement.
CAIT demanded that a penalty be imposed on Flipkart as per relevant provisions of the Consumer Protection Act for "false or misleading advertisement" and imposition of a Rs 10 lakh fine on Bachchan.
An email sent to Flipkart did not elicit a response. Bachchan could not be contacted for comments.
"As per the definition under Section 2(47), Flipkart, acting through Amitabh Bachchan (endorser), have misled the public regarding the price at which mobile phones are being made available by sellers/suppliers in the smartphone market of India. "This has the effect of disparaging the goods, services or trade of another person," CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said in the complaint. Further, he said as per rule 4 of the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, the advertisement by Flipkart "is misleading because it doesn't contain truthful and honest representation and is wholly incorrect, malicious, misleading and manipulative".
Last week, CAIT called out the advertisement with Bachchan promoting Flipkart's upcoming Big Billion Day sale and telling consumers that deals on mobiles won't be available offline at retail stores.
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SC stays disqualification of six chief parliamentary secretaries in Himachal Pradesh
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has stayed the disqualification of six Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPS) in Himachal Pradesh, appointed by the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government. The apex court put a hold on the Himachal Pradesh High Court's decision, which had declared these appointments unconstitutional.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar clarified that no further CPS appointments would be made by the state government, stating such actions would contravene the law. The court has also issued a notice to BJP leader Kalpana Devi, who initially challenged the appointments in the high court, seeking her response within two weeks.
The matter has been tagged with similar pending petitions and is scheduled for hearing after four weeks.
Earlier, the Himachal Pradesh High Court, on 13 November, had invalidated the appointments of CPSes Sanjay Awasthi, Kishori Lal, Ram Kumar, Mohan Bragta, Sundar Singh Thakur, and Ashish Butail, deeming them illegal and unconstitutional. The Sukhu government subsequently moved the Supreme Court, arguing that the high court's ruling was flawed and could lead to disqualification of the CPSes under Article 192 of the Constitution.
Prominent advocates, including Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, represented the Congress government. Former Union Minister Anand Sharma also appeared as a counsel for Ashish Butail, marking his return to legal practice after 27 years.
