Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn to lose Padma honours over controversial gutka ads? Centre issues notice

The Centre has recently issued a notice to gutka companies and Bollywood actors Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar in connection with alleged misleading advertisements. The move comes following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against several actors for promoting gutka, prompting the Allahabad High Court to issue directives to the Centre.

Details about PIL filed against Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar

Advocate Motilal Yadav filed a PIL on October 15, 2022, against gutka-promoting companies and the celebrities involved in these promotions. The Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court, under Judge Rajesh Singh Chauhan, issued two crucial directives.

Firstly, a guideline is to be framed for seizing Padma awards from the actors and filing a case against the tobacco companies and the actors. The court's directives indicate a potential legal course that may lead to the revocation of these awards based on the alleged involvement of the actors in promoting gutka products. Secondly, a hefty fine of Rs 50 lakh is recommended to be imposed on both the actors and the gutka companies for their participation in misleading advertisements.

While talking to ANI, the petitioner highlighted the misleading nature of tobacco product advertisements by actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, and Saif Ali Khan. According to Yadav, the PIL was lodged on September 22, and the subsequent directions from the High Court emphasise the severity of the issue.

What did the Government say?

In response to the PIL, the Government of India issued notices to the gutka companies and initiated an investigation into the matter. The case has been entrusted to a Director General (DG)-level officer. Simultaneously, notices were served to Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar, seeking their response in the alleged misleading advertisements case.

The matter is not limited to the High Court alone, as there is a pending notice in the Supreme Court against gutka companies. This delay has extended the High Court's involvement for four months. The contempt charge is pending, and the High Court is expected to take further action on this case in May.