Chappal ad used her image; Mamata livid

A first information report has been lodged on behalf of Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee against a shoe manufacturer for allegedly putting out an advertisement featuring her picture without her permission.

The full page advertisement that claims that Mamata was wearing rubber slippers manufactured by Ajanta Company, was published in June 21 edition in Sambad Pratidin, a Kolkata-based Bengali newspaper.

"Railways has lodged the FIR against Ajanta Company in the Parliament Street police station. It was published without the knowledge and permission of the Cabinet minister," said a senior railway ministry official.

The complaint has been lodged on the minister's behalf by an official of Railways on June 22.

"She is very upset over it. The ad, it seems, has been put out for pecuniary gains by exploiting Mamata's image," the official said.

Image: Mamata Banerjee