'Act against misleading ads or face contempt case': Supreme Court's warning to states, UTs

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday warned states and union territories of contempt proceedings if they did not act against misleading advertisements and medical claims that are contrary to law.

Taking note of amicus curiae Shadan Farasat's submissions that several states were non-compliant in acting against misleading ads, a bench led by Justice Abay S Oka set deadlines for states and UTs to comply with its May order on the issue.

"We make it clear that if we see non-compliance, we have to issue contempt notices under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971", it said. In May, the top court had asked state licensing authorities to file affidavits on the steps taken to curb misleading advertisements and products. States should indicate action taken on complaints as well as take suo motu action against misleading advertisements, it said.


The apex court also closed its contempt proceedings against Indian Medical Association president RV Asokan, after he apologised for his remarks against the top court in an interview published in April last year.