As per the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, instances of obscene and vulgar advertisements on private satellite TV channels and print media are brought to the notice of the Government from time to time and action is taken against them on case to case basis.
As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data which is available upto 2015, a total of 141, 362, 47 and 142 cases were reported in the country under Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 during the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively which show a mixed trend.
The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 has provisions prohibiting indecent representation of women through advertisements, publications, pamphlets, etc. Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Section 3 and Section 4 of the Act shall be punishable with imprisonment and fine.
The Government of India regularly conducts awareness generation programmes and publicity campaigns on various laws relating to women including the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 through workshops, fairs, cultural programmes, seminars, training programmes etc. Further, advertisements are regularly brought out in the print and electronic media to create awareness on laws relating to rights of women.
This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.