Delhi HC directs govt to not enforce ASCI order against Amazon

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to not enforce till January 5 an order of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) directing the e-commerce site Amazon to modify or withdraw its advertisement, claiming it is the "largest online retail store".

Justice Vibhu Bakhru also issued notice to the Centre and ASCI seeking their reply by January 5 on Amazon's plea challenging the December 18 order of the council.

"Issue notice. Returnable on January 5. Meanwhile, December 18 order shall not be enforced," the court said.

ASCI, by its December 18 order, had directed the online retailer to modify its advertisement or withdraw it from all media, including print and internet, by January 2, 2015.

The order came on Amazon's plea contending that ASCI did not have the authority or the jurisdiction to issue the direction as the advertisement appeared in print media.

The Centre, on the other hand, contended that the requisite material sought by ASCI prior to passing its direction was not provided by the company, an argument which was disputed by Amazon.