A Delhi district consumer dispute redressal commission has ordered Emami Ltd to pay ₹15 lakh in damages to a Delhi resident, Nikhil Jain, for misleading advertising and unfair trade practices. Jain had filed a complaint in 2013 against Emami’s “Fair and Handsome Cream”, which he claimed did not deliver on its promises of giving fair skin in three weeks. The commission found that Emami’s packaging and labeling provided incomplete and limited instructions, leading to consumer deception. The bench ruled that Emami engaged in unfair trade practices by using deceptive packaging and advertisements to boost sales. The company has been ordered to pay ₹14.5 lakh to the state consumer welfare fund and ₹50,000 to Jain, as well as ₹10,000 in costs. This is not the first time the case has been heard, with a previous verdict in favour of Jain being challenged by Emami.
