Amazon Fined ₹1 Lakh for Misleading 'Ram Mandir Prasad' Listings
· Business · Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Times of India
The Central Consumer Protection Authority has imposed a ₹1 lakh penalty on Amazon Seller Services Private Limited for facilitating the sale of ordinary confectionery as 'Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad'. The regulator determined that the listings, which lacked authorization from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, misled consumers by implying the items were blessed by the deity. The order follows a January 2024 complaint from the Confederation of All India Traders regarding four sweet varieties sold by Chandu Trading Company under the brand Bihar Brothers. Officials ruled that Amazon cannot claim safe harbour protection as an intermediary because it actively hosted and facilitated the sale of these products. The company has been ordered to deposit the fine within 15 days.
Why it matters
The ruling sets a precedent for e-commerce platforms regarding their liability for third-party product descriptions that exploit religious sentiments for commercial gain. It mandates stricter oversight by major retailers to ensure product authenticity and prevent the unauthorized use of religious branding.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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