Ajay Devgn challenges Maharashtra FDA notice in Bombay High Court, hearing likely on Nov 4

New Delhi: The Bombay High Court is likely to hear Ajay Devgn’s challenge to a Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notice on November 4. A division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna is expected to take up the petition, which the actor has filed against a show-cause notice over his appearance in ‘Vimal Elaichi’ advertisements. Devgn has described the agency’s action as arbitrary.

What the FDA alleges

The notice claims that the ‘Vimal Elaichi’ advertisements amount to surrogate promotion of ‘Vimal Pan Masala’, a chewable product banned in Maharashtra. The agency had earlier alleged that the campaign was linked to the sale of gutkha and pan masala, both prohibited in the state. Shah Rukh Khan and Tiger Shroff, who also appeared in the advertisements, received similar notices.

Devgn’s argument

In his petition, Devgn stated that the notice was issued to him arbitrarily, as an actor, and not to the company that manufactures the product.

FDA’s stand

FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said on Friday that proceedings against Khan, Devgn and Shroff for allegedly violating state rules were complete. According to him, the department had finished its investigation and found violations by the three actors, and the matter will be referred for adjudication next week. Mundhe added that the department will continue its proceedings before the joint commissioner even though Devgn has approached the High Court.