The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has granted temporary relief to Bollywood actor Salman Khan by staying proceedings before a District Consumer Commission in a case related to an allegedly misleading pan masala advertisement. The interim order was passed while hearing an appeal against directions issued by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (DCDRC), Kota, concerning verification of signatures of the opposite parties, including Khan.
NCDRC's Interim Order
According to news agency PTI, a bench comprising President Justice AP Sahi and member Bharat Kumar Pandya issued notice to complainant Indra Mohan Singh alias Honey and stayed further proceedings before the district commission. In its June 10 order, the NCDRC stated, "In view of what has been urged and noticed by us hereinabove as also the orders passed by the High Court of Rajasthan, it would be appropriate to issue notice to the respondent no.1/complainant calling upon him to answer this appeal."
Substantial Questions Raised
The commission observed that the appeal raised substantial questions regarding the jurisdiction exercised by the district forum and the manner in which the proceedings were conducted. Counsel for the appellants argued that the district commission had proceeded to examine the genuineness of signatures without first deciding the maintainability of the complaint. The NCDRC also took note of an interim order passed by the Rajasthan High Court on May 27, which stayed the operation of an earlier direction issued by the district commission regarding signature verification.
Allegations of Abuse of Process
The appellants further alleged abuse of process and submitted that similar proceedings had been initiated in other consumer forums. "Let a copy of this order be placed on the records of the proceedings before the district commission. Subject to any further orders being passed, further proceedings before the district commission shall remain stayed," the commission said.
Background of the Case
The case pertains to a complaint alleging that a pan masala advertisement featuring Salman Khan and others was misleading. The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 22.
