LEGAL NOTICE ISSUED TO AMITABH BACHCHAN FOR PAO BHAJI ADVERTISEMENT

The popular Pao Bhaji advertisement starring Amitabh Bachchan and two junior artists has drawn flake from the Bar Council of Delhi for using lawyer’s attire in a television commercial. The Bar Council of Delhi has issued a legal notice on 31.10.2018 to Amitabh Bachchan and Everest Masala and also served the same on YouTube and Zee News where the advertisement has been seen.

The notice, issued by the Bar Council of Delhi chairman KC Mittal, to the actor stated, “You are informed that lawyer’s attire is prescribed exclusively for the court and the same is not permitted to be used for any advertisement, much less commercial advertisement.”
It further said, “This has undermined the dignity of the legal profession. You have failed to take due precaution before using the attire of lawyer for advertisement and are liable for legal action for telecasting the advertisement without any authority.”

The Bar Council of Delhi has asked the opposite parties to “immediately stop all such advertisement and also give an undertaking, to be furnished within 10 days, to the Bar Council of Delhi, Bar Council of India and other State Bar Councils that the lawyers’ attire shall not be used to any advertisement in future” and warns of action in case of any violation in the future.

Surabhi Aggarwal

Senior Associate

The Indian Lawyer