Bollywood Stars Receive Notices Over Gutka Ads: High Court Defers Contempt Hearing

The Union of India revealed to the Allahabad High Court that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgan regarding surrogate Gutkha advertising. This disclosure came in response to a contempt plea following non-compliance with the High Court's September 2022 order, sparked by a PIL petition concerning misleading Gutka advertisements featuring certain Padma awardees.

The September order resulted from a PIL filed by Moti Lal Yadav, directing the CCPA to take action against respondents, including actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgan. In the contempt petition, Yadav alleged non-action on his representation to the Cabinet Secretary, leading to the High Court issuing notices to top officials in August.

Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the court of the need for a special bench constituted by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to address similar issues. He requested a deferral of the contempt proceedings and disclosed notices sent to Padma recipients. Notably, Amitabh Bachchan issued a legal notice to a Pan Masala brand despite the termination of his contract.

The court deferred the contempt hearing for five months, scheduling it for May 9, 2024. The legal representatives were directed to update the court on any Supreme Court proceedings and actions taken in compliance with previous orders. The court emphasized that the contempt petition might be finalized based on developments and any orders from the Apex Court.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News writer, MIT ADT UNIVERSITY