NCDRC stays proceedings against Salman Khan in ‘misleading’ pan masala ad case
The commission passed the interim order while hearing the plea challenging the directions issued by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC) in Kota regarding verification of signatures of opposite parties, including Khan.
A bench comprising Chief Justice AP Sahi and member Bharat Kumar Pandya issued notice to the complainant Indra Mohan Singh alias Honey and stayed the continuation of the proceedings before the district commission.
The NCDRC in its order dated June 10 said: “In view of what has been raised and noticed by us above as well as the orders passed by the Rajasthan High Court, it would be appropriate to issue notice to the respondent/complainant no.1 urging him to respond to this objection”.
The Commission observed that the appeal raises important questions regarding the jurisdiction exercised by the district forum and the manner in which the proceedings were conducted.
The appellants’ lawyer argued that the regional commission began examining the authenticity of the signatures without first deciding on the maintainability of the complaint.
NCDRC also took cognizance of the interim order passed by the Rajasthan High Court on May 27, which stayed the implementation of an earlier order issued by the district commission regarding signature verification. The appellants also alleged abuse of process and reported that similar proceedings had been initiated in other consumer forums.
“Allow a copy of this order to be placed in the records of proceedings before the District commission. Subject to further orders received, further proceedings before the district commission shall continue to be stayed,” the commission said.
The case relates to a complaint alleging that the pan masala advertisement featuring Salman Khan and others was misleading.
The matter was listed for further discussion on June 22.
