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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Adman Sandeep Goyal seeks government grip on surrogate ads in High Court battle
HighlightsSandeep Goyal, managing director of Rediffusion Brand Solutions, has filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court advocating for a government-led regulatory body to address surrogate advertising issues. The petition highlights violations of key regulations, including the Cable Television Network Rules of 1994 and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act of 2003, citing examples of surrogate advertising from prominent brands like Vimal Elaichi and Pan Bahar. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has acknowledged the petition, issuing notices to the Central Government, Central Consumer Protection Authority, and Central Board of Film Certification, indicating serious public health concerns related to misleading advertising practices. In a significant legal challenge, veteran adman Sandeep Goyal , the managing director of Rediffusion Brand Solutions , has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court , urging for a direct government-led regulatory body to curb the pervasive issue of surrogate advertising . The petition, currently under the scrutiny of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, contends that existing self-regulatory frameworks are insufficient and too sluggish to combat the real-time impact of these misleading promotions. Goyal, who has consistently refused to work with tobacco and alcohol brands since their advertising was banned in India, asserts that he holds no personal or financial stake in the outcome. His PIL highlights what he describes as blatant violations of crucial regulations, including the Cable Television Network Rules 1994, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003, and the CCPA Guidelines on Misleading Advertisements 2022. The petition specifically points to prominent examples of alleged surrogate advertising, citing brands like Vimal Elaichi, Rajshree Silver Coated Elaichi, and Pan Bahar. These ads, often featuring well-known celebrities, are frequently seen during prime-time television slots and high-profile events such as IPL broadcasts. Goyal argues that such promotions subtly endorse restricted products, misleading consumers and contributing to a growing public health crisis, particularly among young people. "The country is undergoing a health crisis wherein the youth of the nation is getting addicted to alcohol and tobacco at a tender age," the petition states, emphasizing how celebrity endorsements "glamorize" and "validate" the consumption of these products. The PIL underscores the ineffectiveness of current industry self-regulation, including the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), in adequately reining in these deceptive practices. Goyal's petition, argued by advocate Aadil Singh Boparai, seeks strict enforcement of existing laws and guidelines. Crucially, it calls for a more robust, government-led mechanism to actively supervise all advertising content. The High Court has taken cognizance of the matter, issuing notices to the central government, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This move signals the judiciary's recognition of the potential public health implications of unchecked surrogate advertising, setting the stage for a significant legal debate on the future of advertising regulation in India.
Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Adman Sandeep Goyal moves Punjab & Haryana HC against surrogate ads, seeks govt-led regulatory mechanism
In a significant move to curb the growing menace of surrogate advertisements promoting alcohol and tobacco, veteran adman Sandeep Goyal has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. It seeks strict enforcement of existing laws aimed at safeguarding public health—particularly that of youth. A bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel issued notices to the central government, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Goyal, a 62-year-old Chandigarh resident and Managing Director of Rediffusion Brand Solutions Private Limited, has long opposed surrogate ads and has refused to work with tobacco and alcohol brands since their advertising was banned in India. With no personal or fiduciary interest in the case, his petition cites blatant violations of the Cable Television Network Rules 1994, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003, and the CCPA Guidelines on Misleading Advertisements 2022. The petition, argued by advocate Aadil Singh Boparai, highlights prominent examples of alleged surrogate advertising—including spots for brands like Vimal Elaichi, Rajshree Silver Coated Elaichi, and Pan Bahar—that aired on primetime TV, including IPL broadcasts. These celebrity-endorsed promotions, Goyal argues, mislead consumers and glamourize restricted products, fuelling a public health crisis. Studies have linked such advertising to increased tobacco and alcohol use among teenagers. 'The country is undergoing a health crisis wherein the youth of the nation is getting addicted to alcohol and tobacco at a tender age. It is submitted that the advertisements, which use renowned celebrities to advertise their product, not only promote the consumption of alcohol and tobacco but also validate their consumption through glamorous portrayal of alcohol and tobacco products,' says the petition. The petition underscores the ineffectiveness of current self-regulatory frameworks, including those of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), in curbing misleading promotions. Goyal calls for a more robust, government-led regulatory mechanism to oversee advertising content. The petition seeks the following reliefs: • A writ of mandamus directing enforcement of the ASCI's Code for Self-Regulation in Advertising. • A writ of mandamus directing implementation of the CCPA's 2022 Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements. • A writ of mandamus for enforcement of the Cable Television Network Rules 1994. • Any other directions the court deems appropriate. Goyal contends that existing redressal mechanisms are too slow to counter the real-time impact of such ads, which continue to reach large audiences before any regulatory action is taken. He also draws on Supreme Court and high court observations calling for stronger regulatory oversight in the advertising sector. Calling for stricter enforcement, the petition states, 'It is the assertion of the Petitioner that the growing problem of surrogate advertisements can be effectively tackled only by a Complaint Redressal Mechanism which works under the direct aegis of the Central Government and supervises all advertisements being published/broadcast.'
