NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging that actor Ranbir Kapoor was shown using a banned e-cigarette in a Netflix web series, sparking concerns over violation of Indian laws and potential harm to public health.
The case originated from a complaint filed by Mr. Vinay Joshi of the Legal Rights Observatory. He alleged that in “Bads of Bollywood” (Season 1, Episode 7), Kapoor was seen using an e-cigarette on screen without any statutory warning or disclaimer.
The complainant argued that such content misleads young viewers, glamorizes banned substances, and undermines law enforcement efforts.
NHRC Observes Violation of Law
A bench of the Commission, presided over by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, took the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Commission noted that the depiction of e-cigarettes violated:
- Section 4 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, which prohibits storage, use, and promotion of e-cigarettes in any form.
- Section 7 of the same Act, which penalizes individuals and companies for advertising or promoting such products.
Calling the allegations “prima facie serious violations of law,” the NHRC directed immediate action.
Notices to Government and Police
The Commission issued notices to:
- The Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB): To take action and prohibit such content that may wrongly influence the younger generation.
- The Commissioner of Police, Mumbai: To investigate manufacturers and importers of e-cigarettes and initiate legal proceedings, including the lodging of an FIR against actor Ranbir Kapoor, the producers, and OTT platform Netflix.
Demand for Action Taken Report
The NHRC instructed both the MIB and Mumbai Police to inquire into the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks. The authorities were also asked to send a copy of their findings via email to the Commission’s registry.
The complaint emphasized that irresponsible depiction of banned products on widely accessible OTT platforms encourages illegal activities and poses a threat to public health, particularly among impressionable youth.
This development brings into focus the accountability of OTT platforms in India and the responsibilities of actors and production houses in adhering to laws that safeguard public health and morality.
