Salman Khan Ordered to Appear in Court Over Signature Dispute

Actor Salman Khan has been summoned to appear in the Kota District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission concerning a pan masala advertisement. The court has ordered a forensic examination of Khan’s signature, amid allegations of discrepancies raised by Indramohan Singh Honey, a local BJP leader and advocate. Khan must present himself on January 20, 2024, along with relevant documents and the notary involved.

The order followed Honey’s concerns regarding the authenticity of Khan’s signature on the power of attorney and the response submitted to the court. He has requested a forensic verification, claiming that the signatures differ from those previously recorded during court proceedings and in jail. The consumer court accepted this objection and mandated that a state-authorised agency or a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) conduct the examination.

This directive is issued under Section 38(9)(d) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and Section 73(2) of the Indian Evidence Act. The court has also instructed that Khan must appear personally in court on the next hearing date, accompanied by advocate R.C. Choubey, who previously notarised the disputed documents.

The case arises from a petition filed against Khan and the Rajshree Pan Masala Company, alleging misleading advertising practices. The complainant contends that an advertisement promoting “saffron-infused cardamom” is deceptive, as such a product would be highly impractical in an inexpensive pouch. This claim raises concerns about consumer protection, particularly regarding the impact of such advertising on younger audiences.

In response to the allegations, Khan has described the complaint as baseless, asserting that any necessary action should be taken by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). His legal team maintains that the advertisement in question pertains to silver-coated cardamom, not saffron-infused pan masala, and has denied all allegations.

On December 9, 2023, Khan reiterated his stance, asserting that the signatures in question are authentic and consistent with those on his PAN card and passport. He characterized the objections raised by Honey as frivolous and without legal merit.

The case will resume on January 20, 2024, when the court will assess the results of the forensic examination and determine the next steps in the proceedings.

As this situation develops, it underscores the ongoing scrutiny faced by celebrities regarding their endorsements and the potential implications for consumer protection laws in India.