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A Delhi court has ordered that an FIR be registered against online shopping portals Amazon India, eBay and Shopclues and their managing directors for allegedly selling an ashtray shaped like a nude woman, saying it was "outrageous" and "indecent" and could have a serious psychological impact on the young.
Metropolitan Magistrate Babru Bhan gave the direction while also observing that by allowing the sale of such a product, the portals were conveying to society that women should be treated in the manner depicted in the object.
A complaint was lodged against the portals by advocate Gaurav Gulati, who alleged that according to media reports published on 6 June 2017, the sites were "selling a nude woman figurine ash-tray which was indecent".
The court said it appeared that the sellers and the portals wanted to convey to society that "women should be treated in the manner depicted in the figurine".
The court observed the object was not "artistic" in any way.
"In my considered opinion, publication of such material can leave a serious psychological impact, especially on young viewers. It is not artistic from any point of view."
The court, in its order, called for a detailed investigation into the matter to ascertain the identity of the sellers and role of the portals.
The court observed that if such indecent acts were ignored, they would lead to encouraging wrongdoers.
"Pervert(ed) ideas are always gathered and conceived from the surroundings. The legislative intent behind the statutory provisions which are stipulated under Sections 292 (sale of obscene material), 293 (sale of obscene material to young person) of the IPC and Indecent Representation of Woman (Prohibition) Act is to protect society from such material which has a tendency to corrupt its psychology.
"The ashtray ... drew severe criticism on social media... (and) was sold at a price of Rs 4,441," the complaint had alleged.
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