Srinagar-  The Centre has empowered the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, along with the Lieutenant Governors or administrators of four other Union territories, to authorise officers to conduct searches and seize records related to misleading advertisements claiming magical properties or cures for serious diseases such as cancer and diabetes.  

The move follows a recent gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, delegating powers under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, to the Lieutenant Governors or administrators of Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Puducherry.

According to the notification, the administrators of these Union territories will exercise the powers of the state government under the Act, subject to the control of the President and until further orders. This allows them to authorise gazetted officers to enter and search premises, examine documents, and seize records connected with misleading or objectionable advertisements.

The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act prohibits advertisements that make false or exaggerated claims about drugs and medicinal substances, including Ayush medicines, in print, electronic, and digital media. The law bars promotion of drugs as cures for 54 specified diseases and disorders, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, and other serious conditions.

It also states that no person shall participate in the publication of any advertisement suggesting the use of a drug for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of diseases listed under the prohibited schedule of the Act.

Officials said the delegation of powers is intended to strengthen enforcement in Union territories by enabling swift action against misleading health-related claims, which can pose serious risks to public health and safety.