Cookies policy statement
We are using cookies on our site to provide you with the best user experience.
Disabling cookies may prevent our website from working efficiently. Click ok to remove this message (we will remember your choice).
OK

ASA Adjudication on Pundit Maharaj

Pundit Maharaj

40 Bridge Street Row
Chester
CH1 1NN

Date:

3 October 2007

Media:

Television

Number of complaints:

1

Complaint Ref:

37008

Ad

Hindi and English versions of an ad for Pundit Maharaj aired on Venus TV. The voice-over said “Pundit Maharaj established since 1952 in England. Numerous successful clients all over the world. For more information please call 07974 XXXXX or log on to www.punditjimarharaj.com .” The ad featured a graphic of a palm and, in the top right of the screen, a circling wheel of zodiac signs.

Issue

Monitoring staff challenged whether the ad indirectly promoted an unacceptable product as defined by rule 3.1 (i).

BCAP TV Code

Response

Venus TV withdrew the ad as soon as the challenge was brought to their attention. They explained that the person normally in charge of compliance had been unable to carry out the routine advertising checks.  Venus TV acknowledged that someone else should have been carrying out the compliance checks in the meantime.  Venus TV explained that the advertiser had assured them that the ad had been approved and was being shown on other channels.  Venus TV added that they had requested a clearance certificate for the ad and that they would not show the ad again until they had it.  

Assessment

1. Upheld

The ASA welcomed Venus TVs assurance that the ad had been withdrawn.  We reminded Venus TV that the responsibility for advertising content lay with the broadcaster and it was not acceptable to rely on other broadcasters clearances.  We noted the website that was featured in the ad stated Everyday you read in the papers about the different SPIRITUAL HEALERS and ASTROLOGERS and of their AUTHENTICITY and POWERS ... PUNDIT JEE is the only SPIRITUAL HEALER who can prove by DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE that his FAMILY i.e., FATHER and he have been ESTABLISHED in ENGLAND since 1952. NO other PSYCHIC can prove their EXISTENCE and AUTHENTICITY with DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. This PROVES that PUNDIT JEE is the only SUCCESSFUL SPIRITUAL HEALER who has helped PEOPLE from all walks of life and can prove this by LETTERS from SATISFIED CLIENTELE who have had their PROBLEMS solved with a 100% GUARANTEE."  

"If you have a problem that has not been solved by any GURU or SPIRITUAL HEALER PUNDIT JEE invites you to contact him as a LAST RESORT and I PROMISE that all your PROBLEMS will be finished FOREVER and you will be one of the MILLIONS of DEVOTEES of PUNDIT MAHARAJ who are leading SUCCESSFUL and CONFIDENT lives and come EVERY YEAR from all over the WORLD to pay their RESPECTS and touch PUNDIT JEE'S feet.

Because ads for the occult and psychic practices were prohibited by rule 10.3, we considered that the ad indirectly promoted an unacceptable product.

The ad breached CAP (Broadcast) TV Advertising Standards Code rule 3.2. (Indirect promotion).

Action

The ad must not be shown again.  

Adjudication of the ASA Council (Broadcast)

Making a complaint

Find out what types of ads we deal with and how to make a complaint.

How to complain

Adjudications

View our latest weekly ASA adjudications or search for rulings from the last five years.

Adjudications

Non-compliant online advertisers

Check the list of non-compliant online advertisers.

Non-compliant online advertisers

Sign up

Sign up for adjudications alerts and newsletters.

Sign up

Already registered? Log in

Follow Us

For ASA news, including our weekly rulings, press releases, research and reports.
ASA_UK

Dealing with complaints - FAQs

We work hard to ensure our complaints procedures are transparent. Here we answer some commonly asked questions about how we handle complaints.

Dealing with complaints - FAQs

Advertising Standards Authority Ltd, Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6QT  |  Copyright © 2012 ASA