Mumbai Police have charged a business with unauthorized use of Sachin Tendulkar’s image for advertising purposes.

The Mumbai Police have filed a case against a company for using Sachin Tendulkar’s image unethically for advertising products such as fat-burning spray and burner oil, among others. According to the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act (IT Act), the firm’s employees have been charged with deception, forgery, and defamation.

Tendulkar’s personal assistant (PA), Ramesh Pardhe, filed a complaint regarding the unauthorized use of the cricketer’s images. In addition, the company launched a website titled after the legendary cricketer in order to promote its products using his images.

According to Pardhe’s statement to the police, he first observed the advertisements on Facebook featuring Tendulkar on May 5. In addition, the company used audio replicating Tendulkar’s voice in Instagram advertisements to convince viewers that the product was genuine.

“Not only did the advertisement for the belly burner oil feature Tendulkar’s image, but it also stated that the product was’recommended by Sachin Tendulkar,'” he explained. The advertisement link led me to the website of the corporation Shyla Health. I also examined the company’s Instagram account, Pardhe was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Upon further investigation, Pardhe discovered another website owned by the same company that purported to sell various products to customers in exchange for a Tendulkar-signed T-shirt. In addition, the company created a ‘Sachin Health Affiliate Program’ with no genuine ties to the cricketer.

“Since Sachin is in no way associated with the products, the company is not only misusing his brand, but also deceiving their own customers,” said Balsing Rajput, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber).

The cyber authorities are conducting additional investigations as they have yet to locate the remaining members of the company. The cricketer has not issued a statement regarding his association with the products and wants the police to handle the situation.