Alongside him, similar notices have been sent to Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, and the Chairman of the gutkha manufacturing company.
The summons for Khan, Devgn, and Shroff comes after a formal complaint was lodged by consumer rights activist Yogendra Singh Badiyal. Acting on the complaint, Commission Chairman Gyarsilal Meena and member Hemlata Agarwal directed the notice against the actors and the gutkha manufacturer.
At the heart of the controversy is an advertisement by JB Industries, the company behind the gutkha brand. The complaint alleges that the brand’s claim — “every grain contains saffron” — is misleading, potentially deceiving consumers.
The complaint not only challenges the advertisement’s claim but also highlights a glaring inconsistency — how can a product priced at just Rs 5 per packet genuinely contain saffron, which costs nearly Rs 4 lakh per kilogram? Consumer rights activist Yogendra Singh Badiyal, who filed the petition, argues that the math simply doesn’t add up.
The complaint further alleges that the gutkha neither contains saffron nor carries its fragrance, yet it continues to be promoted by high-profile celebrities. The fear is that their endorsement could mislead consumers into believing the product offers something it doesn’t.
Beyond being misleading, the complaint also raises the serious concern of the potential health risks associated with such advertisements. By glamorising gutkha, the petition argues, these promotional campaigns could indirectly encourage consumption of a product known to be harmful.
In the past, Khan, Devgn, and Akshay Kumar have all faced backlash for promoting pan masala brands. The controversy was particularly intense for Akshay, who, after widespread criticism, issued an apology, promising to never endorse such products again.
