NEW DELHI: Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff have failed to secure immediate relief in a legal dispute linked to a pan masala advertisement after the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition challenging notices issued to the actors.
The petition was filed by PB Agro, a company associated with the advertisement. The company had challenged show-cause notices issued to the three actors by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), arguing that the Delhi High Court had jurisdiction because the company’s office is located in the capital and the advertising campaign was coordinated from Delhi.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma rejected the petition, holding that the objections concerning the Maharashtra FDA notices should be raised before the appropriate forum in Maharashtra.
Delhi High Court Declines Jurisdiction
PB Agro argued that the advertising campaign was prepared and organized in Delhi and that payments to the brand ambassadors were also made from the capital.
The court, however, found these circumstances insufficient to establish jurisdiction in Delhi. It noted that the Maharashtra FDA’s notices were issued to the actors rather than to PB Agro.
According to the court’s observations, the company had not been directed by the notices to submit a response, remove the advertisement, provide documents or appear before the authorities.
Company Raises Concerns Over Advertisement Action
During the proceedings, PB Agro argued that any action against the advertisement could have consequences for the company even though the notices had been issued only to the actors.
The company also questioned the Maharashtra FDA’s authority to issue directions concerning the advertisement.
The central government and the Central Consumer Protection Authority opposed the petition being heard in Delhi, arguing that the matter arose from action initiated by the Maharashtra FDA and that PB Agro should approach the Bombay High Court.
Case Linked to Vimal Pan Masala Advertisement
The dispute concerns advertisements featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff as brand ambassadors. The Maharashtra FDA has alleged that the advertisements promoted Vimal pan masala.
With the Delhi High Court declining to entertain the petition on jurisdictional grounds, PB Agro may now pursue its legal challenge before the appropriate forum in Maharashtra.
The court’s decision does not determine the underlying allegations against the actors or the legality of the advertisements; it addresses the question of whether Delhi was the appropriate forum for challenging the Maharashtra FDA’s notices.