LI Network
Published on: December 11, 2023 at 09:38 IST
The Union of India has notified the Allahabad High Court that the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued notices to renowned Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgn concerning alleged Gutkha advertising.
This disclosure was made before Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan in response to a contempt plea filed over the non-compliance with the High Court’s September 2022 order in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
The initial order directed central government authorities to address concerns raised about certain Padma awardees participating in ‘misleading’ Gutka advertisements.
To provide context, the High Court’s September 2022 order stemmed from a PIL filed by Moti Lal Yadav, an advocate, seeking action against private respondents, including Pan Masala Companies and Bollywood actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Ajay Devgan.
The petitioner urged the Central Consumer Protection Authority to impose penalties as per the provisions in Section 21(2) of the Act, 2019.
In the contempt petition, the petitioner alleged that despite approaching the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, in compliance with the HC’s direction on October 15, 2022, the Central Consumer Protection Authority did not address the representation.
Earlier this year, the High Court issued notices to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Secretary of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Nidhi Khare, seeking their responses.
During the recent hearing, Deputy Solicitor General of India SB Pandey informed the court that a special bench needs to be constituted by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to address similar issues, suggesting that the matter might be adjudicated by the Apex Court.
In light of this submission, the Deputy Solicitor General requested the Court to defer proceedings in the present contempt petition. He also informed the bench that notices have been sent to Padma recipients, including Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgan, and Akshay Kumar, by the Central Consumer Protection Authority.
Furthermore, it was revealed that Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, another Padma recipient named in the contempt plea, has issued a legal notice to a ‘Pan Masala Brand’ for featuring him in advertisements despite the discontinuation of the contract.
The Court, considering the submissions, deferred the contempt petition’s hearing for five months, scheduling it for May 9, 2024. It directed the legal representatives of the Union of India and the petitioner-advocate to provide updates on the current status of any proceedings before the Supreme Court on the next date.
Additionally, they were instructed to share information about actions taken in compliance with orders issued by the Apex Court, as these orders were considered by the Division Bench of the HC in connection with the petitioner’s PIL.
The Court concluded that the contempt petition might be finally decided based on developments and any orders from the Apex Court, emphasizing the need for adherence to the court’s directives.
