Salman Khan Faces Legal Action in Jaipur Over Pan Masala Advertisements
The District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission Number Two in Jaipur took strong action on Thursday. It issued a bailable warrant against Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The warrant carries a value of ten thousand rupees.
Commission Directs Actor to Appear
The commission specifically ordered Salman Khan to appear before it on February 6. Commission President Gyarsilal Meena gave clear instructions. He directed the police commissioner to ensure the proper execution of this warrant.
This legal order came during a hearing for a contempt petition. The petition was filed by an individual named Yogendra Singh.
Allegations of Misleading Claims
According to the petition, Rajshree Pan Masala was promoted through certain advertisements. These ads allegedly misled the public with a specific claim. They stated the product contained saffron, which is known locally as kesar.
Yogendra Singh argued this point strongly. He said such claims create a false impression. They make people believe the product is safe and of high quality. Singh highlighted a well-known public health concern. He pointed out that pan masala consumption is widely associated with serious health risks. These risks notably include cancer.
Financial Gains and Prior Order
The petition made further allegations. It stated that both the company owners and brand ambassador Salman Khan earned crores of rupees. This money came from promoting the product. The earnings happened despite the product's potentially harmful effects on consumers.
The consumer commission had already taken note of these serious concerns. Earlier, on January 6, it passed a significant order. The commission imposed a complete ban. This ban covered all misleading publicity and advertisements for Rajshree Pan Masala.
Alleged Disobedience of the Ban
However, the recent contempt plea presented a new development. It alleged clear disobedience of the commission's order. According to the plea, a large advertising signboard for the pan masala was installed on January 9. This installation happened near Nayapura Stadium in Kota.
The petition argues this action shows wilful disobedience. It occurred despite clear knowledge of the commission's earlier ban order.
Next Steps in the Case
The legal process will continue. The commission has scheduled the next hearing for this matter. All parties involved will reconvene on February 6 for further proceedings.
