ASCI September Update: 84 complaints received; 54 upheld

Of the ads that violated ASCI's code in September, majority were from the health and personal care segment.

As per a press release issued by The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), of the 84 complaints received in the month of September, 54 were upheld.

Of the ads that violated ASCI's code during this period, majority (13) were from the health and personal care segment, followed by the education (7), telecommunication and broadband (7) and e-commerce (6) segments.

Healthcare brands that released these objectionable ads include: Ayurwin Pharmaceutical (Nutrislim) and M/S. S. A. Safiullah & Co. (Nizam Pakku). Ads released by the following companies were found to be misleading or false or not adequately/scientifically substantiated: Hindustan Unilever (Dove Elixir), Godrej Consumer Products (Godrej No.1 Soap), Amrita Homeopathy, Ayusya Herbal Clinic, Marico (Saffola Total), Priis Trading Company - Priis BSY Noni Black (Hair Magic Fruit Shampoo), NRD Enterprises (No Fat Capsules), Aradhana Maternity & Kidney Hospital and M/s Tapan Agro Industries (New Preet Lite).

Brands from the education category that were found objectionable include: CL Educate (CAT Coaching), Shri Maharana Pratap Private ITI, Sea Academy, Aakash Educational Services, (Aakash Institute), Institute of Advance Network Technology, CL Educate (All India Mock IBPS PO Preliminary examination) and AIM Study Center.

In the telecommunication and broadband category, brands that released misleading ads include: Bharti Airtel, Atria Convergence Technologies (Act Fibernet) and Bharti Softbank (Hike Messenger).

E-commerce brands that released misleading ads include: Bookmyoffer.com, Flipkart Internet, Pisces eServices (Foodpanda), CouponsCenter and Godaddy.com.

Other brands that released misleading ads include: Bennett Coleman & Co. (Alive App), HT Media (Shine.com), Bloomberg TV India, Raheja Corp. (Shoppers Stop), HDFC Bank (Two Wheeler Loan Offer), Home Town, Kerala Fashion Jewellery, Jaguar Group (Jaguar bathroom fittings) and Philips Electronics India (Philips modular switches) among others.