Notice issued to Akshay Kumar, Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgn: Centre in Allahabad HC

The central government has responded to a contempt petition by informing the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad Court about issuing notices to prominent Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar, Shahrukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn regarding their endorsements for gutka companies. This revelation came as the government's counsel presented the case to the High Court, citing a similar matter being heard in the Supreme Court, urging the dismissal of the instant petition.

Earlier, Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan's bench had directed the government to address the petitioner's concerns, which primarily revolved around the celebrities endorsing gutka products despite their prestigious accolades. The petitioner highlighted the lack of action by the government on the representation submitted on October 22 regarding this issue.

Subsequently, the High Court took up the contempt petition, issuing a notice to the Cabinet Secretary of the central government. Deputy Solicitor General SB Pandey informed the court on Friday that the Centre had indeed issued show cause notices to Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ajay Devgn.


Additionally, the court was apprised of Amitabh Bachchan's legal actions against a gutka company. Despite terminating his contract, Bachchan's advertisements were reportedly still being aired by the company, leading him to send a legal notice in response. The bench has scheduled the next hearing for May 9, 2024, in this ongoing case.

(With inputs from PTI)