India: ‘Get infected with corona for cashback of Rs50K on any purchase', electronic shop in Kerala faces action from state government for controversial advertisement

Dubai: At a time when COVID-19 cases surge high in the south Indian state of Kerala, an electronic goods store in the state was caught in controversy on Tuesday. The shop published an advertisement, which states that anyone who gets affected with COVID-19 would get a cashback of Rs50,000 (Dh2455) on any purchase from the store. The news got much attention online that social media users couldn't stop resharing it.

A Facebook user @Mahesh commented: "Its just crazy! Do these people know what they are talking about?"

In the advertisement, the shop promised customers 'Get infected with corona for cashback of Rs50k on any purchase without GST', along with a validity between August 15 and 30. Reportedly it was published on print, electronic and digital platforms.

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Another Facebook user@Shivkumar posted: "Such a shame! Can't understand why people go to such extreme to get money and that too in these times. Don't we need to think before we act?"

Local media sources report that soon after the promotional advertisement went viral, the shop was crowded by people to buy electronic items, and due to this, the state administration had to take action against the shop.

Concerned over the controversial advertisement, a lawyer from Pala Municipality in Kottayam district in Kerala wrote a letter to the state Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan terming the promotional offer illegal and punishable.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, the lawyer said that this offer could attract COVID-19 positive people to buy items from the shop to claim cashback.

As per the guidelines, the state government doesn't allow more than 20 people inside any shop in Kerala.

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As soon as the matter was taken to the Chief Minister's Office, the police reached the spot and dropped the shutters until further notice . Apart from this, investigations have also been initiated against the shop owner.

The incident occurs in a time when the state recorded the highest single-day increase of 1,725 COVID-19 cases on Monday, with infection infections rising to 46,140, while the toll was 169 due to 13 deaths.

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