Petition in MP HC Targets Celebrity-Supported Advertisements for Legal Services

Jahan Soni
Aug 23
2 min read

Red and cream building with arched windows, intricate detailing, and a sign in Hindi. Blue sky and tree branches are visible.

Matter

Three lawyers—Advocates Prashant Upadhyay, Harsh Kushwaha, and Prashant Yadav—have filed a petition before the Madhya Pradesh High Court (Indore Bench) seeking the removal of sponsored advertisements and celebrity endorsements that promote online legal services. These ads, circulated via platforms like YouTube and Instagram, feature a popular actor in a judicial role urging viewers to "purchase the best online legal services" through fixed-price packages.

Background

Timeline of notice and responses:

A cease-and-desist notice was sent to YouTube on 10 January 2025.
On 21 February 2025, YouTube replied, rejecting the applicability of the Advocates Act to such advertisements.
In early March, the petitioners escalated the issue by lodging formal complaints with both the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the State Bar Council.
Upon receiving no remedial action, the lawyers approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court for judicial intervention.

What’s at stake:

The petitioners argue these ads mislead the public, commercialize the legal profession, and diminish its dignity. They claim such practices violate Rules 36 and 37 of the Bar Council of India Rules, which strictly prohibit advertising, solicitation, and unauthorized commercial promotion by advocates.

Court Observation

While detailed judicial observations from the Madhya Pradesh High Court are not yet deliver, the petition notably invokes the precedent of PN Vignesh v. Bar Council of India (2024). In that case, the Madras High Court held that intermediaries (such as online platforms) cannot claim blanket safe-harbor protections under IT laws when hosting unlawful content, particularly content that violates BCI rules.

Final Thoughts

This case underscores a growing tension between digital marketing and professional ethics within the legal sector. The petitioners seek not only removal of these advertisements but also systemic oversight: they urge the BCI, State Bar Council, and relevant Union ministries to actively monitor and curb such promotional practices. They also aim to hold platforms like YouTube and Instagram accountable for monetizing unlawful content, with ill-gotten gains directed to the Advocates’ Welfare Fund.