National Desk, 10th December: Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) had issued notices to actors Ajay Devgn Shah Rukh Khan, and Akshay Kumar on October 20 for promoting tobacco brands.
This revelation came in response to a contempt petition, with the next hearing scheduled for May 9, 2024.
The contempt petition, filed by lawyer Motilal Yadav, raised concerns about celebrities, especially Padma Awardees, endorsing products harmful to public health.
The court had previously instructed the central government to decide on the petitioner’s representation, demanding action against those advertising for gutkha companies despite receiving high-profile accolades.
During the recent court hearing, Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey stated that show cause notices had been served to Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn by the Centre.
Additionally, the court was informed that Amitabh Bachchan had issued a legal warning to a gutkha brand for airing his advertisement despite him terminating the contract. Bachchan had withdrawn from a paan masala advertising campaign in October 2021 after facing public criticism.