The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in a communication sent to Union Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan has demanded action against former Indian Cricket Team Captain Shri M.S.Dhoni for his endorsement and advertisements promoting Amrapali Group which has been found guilty by Supreme Court in a decision made a day before. The CAIT has said that endorsements by Mr. M.S. Dhoni has greatly influenced people to buy flats in Amrapali projects and since the Builder is found guilty an accountability also falls on Mr. Dhoni.
Asking for a stern action against Mr. M.S.Dhoni, CAIT National President Mr. B.C.Bhartia and Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal demanded Shri Paswan to ensure passing of Consumer Protect Bill in the current session of the Parliament so that people of the Country could be saved from misleading and deceptive endorsements and advertisements by Celebrities who generally took huge amount for such endorsements without verifying the facts whether the goods or services they are endorsing are worth of it or not. The Consumer Protect Bill pending to be passed by the Parliament prescribes hefty penalties on Celebrities for their deceptive endorsements.
The CAIT in its communication to Mr. Paswan has drawn his attention towards recent strictures passed by the Supreme Court regarding Amrapali Group on account of diversion of funds collected from flat buyers, not completing the project and thereby not delivering the possession of flats even though taking money.
Mr. Bhartia & Mr. Khandelwal said that under the circumstances there is a fit case against Shri M.S.Dhoni for highlighting the special features of Amrapali group projects through his various advertisements and endorsements and encouraging people to buy flats in Amrapali Group. He went to the extent saying that he has also taken a flat in Amrapali.
Both trade leaders said that the endorsement of Shri M.S.Dhoni amounts to cheating the people and promoting them to put their hard earn money in projects which are still remains uncompleted. We are of the considered opinion that while endorsing the Amrapali projects, Mr. Dhoni must have taken huge consideration and therefore can not escape from his liability .
The CAIT has demanded in proceedings against Mr. M.S.Dhoni for misleading the people. You are also requested to immediately make all efforts to pass Consumer Protection Bill in the current session of the Parliament so that Celebrities should be made accountable for their endorsements and they should not be indulged in wrong endorsements.
Both Mr. Bhartia and Mr. Khandelwal also said that they will also move to Advertisement Council of India and if need arises, they will not hesitate to move to Court of law to protect the consumers and the people.