Bollywood icon Salman Khan scores a legal victory as the Rajasthan High Court puts a hold on a bailable warrant in the ongoing pan masala ad dispute. Justice Anoop Singh delivered the order following detailed submissions from Khan’s legal team, averting an immediate court appearance for the star.
At the heart of the matter is a consumer complaint against Rajshree Pan Masala, with Khan as its prominent endorser. Complainant Yogendra Singh Badiyal charged the company and the actor with deceptive marketing, labeling products misleadingly as containing saffron and cardamom to lure buyers.
The Jaipur District Consumer Commission-II acted swiftly on January 6, 2026, by banning the ads temporarily. Yet, defiant hoardings persisted in multiple locations just days later, leading the commission to accuse the parties of flouting its directive.
Over time, four bailable warrants were dispatched to Khan, but service proved elusive. The commission’s patience wore thin, culminating in stern remarks during the latest hearing: fame doesn’t place anyone above the law, and dodging summons undermines judicial credibility.
April 13 loomed as Khan’s last-chance date before the commission, with arrest threats hanging over non-attendance. The high court’s stay eliminates this pressure, allowing more time for resolution.
Khan’s defense was mounted by top advocates R.P. Singh, G.S. Bafna, Divesh Sharma, Varun Singh, and Shivangshu Naval, whose persuasive pleas swayed the bench.
This episode highlights escalating scrutiny on celebrity endorsements for potentially harmful products like pan masala. It raises questions about accountability in advertising and the role of courts in enforcing consumer safeguards without overreach.
