In the context of Freedom of Speech under Article 19(1)(a), how has the Supreme Court legally balanced Commercial Speech (advertisements) with the rights of consumers in India?

Explanation

In Tata Press Ltd. vs. MTNL, the Supreme Court held that commercial speech is a part of Article 19(1)(a) as it benefits the public by providing information. However, the court emphasized that misleading, false, or deceptive advertising does not contribute to the public discourse and directly harms consumer welfare, meaning it does not enjoy constitutional protection and can be heavily regulated under Article 19(2) and consumer protection laws.