I saw a misleading advertisement about a health product in Vellore, how to complain?

Detailed Legal Analysis

To complain about a misleading advertisement regarding a health product in Vellore, you can file a complaint with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and the Consumer Forum under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Here are the steps you should follow to lodge your complaint:

• Gather Evidence: Collect all relevant materials related to the misleading advertisement, such as screenshots, brochures, or any promotional material that contains false claims.
• Identify the Advertiser: Make sure you know who is responsible for the advertisement, including the company name and contact details.
• File a Complaint with ASCI: You can register your complaint online through the ASCI website. The process involves:
• Visiting the ASCI website: www.ascionline.org.
• Filling in the complaint form with details of the misleading advertisement.
• Providing evidence of the advertisement.
• Submitting your complaint.
• Consumer Forum Complaint: If the matter is not resolved through ASCI, you can escalate it to the Consumer Forum under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The steps are:
• Draft a complaint letter including your details, details of the advertiser, and a description of the misleading advertisement.
• Attach all relevant evidence and documents.
• File the complaint in the appropriate District Consumer Forum in Vellore. The jurisdiction depends on the value of the claim.
• Pay the requisite fee for filing the complaint.
• Legal Provisions: Your complaint may be supported by the following legal provisions:
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019, Section 2(47) defines misleading advertisements.
• Section 17 of the Consumer Protection Act allows consumers to seek relief for unfair trade practices.
• Advertising Standards Code provides guidelines on what constitutes misleading advertisements.
• Follow Up: Keep track of your complaint status with ASCI and the Consumer Forum, and be ready to appear for hearings if required.

By following these steps, you can effectively lodge a complaint against misleading advertisements in Vellore.