Politics · India Bureau
Ajay Devgn challenges FDA notice over Vimal Elaichi advertisement
The actor has moved the High Court against a Food and Drug Administration notice, arguing that regulatory action should target the manufacturer rather than endorsers of the product.
LSN India ·
Actor Ajay Devgn has approached the High Court seeking to quash a notice issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding advertisements for Vimal Elaichi, a gutkha product. Devgn's legal petition contends that the regulatory authority acted arbitrarily by directing the notice at him as an endorser rather than at the manufacturing company responsible for the product.
The actor's challenge raises questions about the scope of regulatory accountability in advertising practices. Devgn's counsel argues that the FDA notice constitutes an improper extension of regulatory authority, particularly given existing legal frameworks governing product endorsements and manufacturer responsibilities.
The petition highlights a recurring tension in India's regulatory landscape regarding the division of liability between manufacturers and celebrity endorsers of products. The case may have implications for how regulatory agencies pursue enforcement action in the advertising sector, particularly for restricted products.
The High Court has yet to schedule hearings on Devgn's petition. The matter comes amid ongoing scrutiny of gutkha and tobacco-related product advertisements across Indian media platforms.