New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday prohibited the use of photographs of political leaders, including ministers, in advertisements issued by the government and its agencies, saying that it leads to promotion of personality cult.

The apex court bench, headed by Justice Ranjan Gogoi, in its judgment, however, permitted the use of photographs of the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and departed leaders, including Father of the Nation, in the advertisements issued by the government and its agencies.