As Bollywood superstar Salman Khan gears up for his milestone 60th birthday, he has received an unwelcome gift from the legal system. The Kota District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has issued a strict order summoning the actor to appear in person on January 20, 2026.
The case revolves around a complaint alleging “misleading advertising” for a popular pan masala brand, Rajshree. But in a dramatic twist, the court has also ordered a forensic examination of Salman’s signature after the complainant claimed that the legal documents submitted by the actor’s team were forged.
Here is a complete breakdown of the controversy, the “saffron” debate, and why the court is questioning the superstar’s signature.
The Case: Rs 5 Pouch vs. Rs 4 Lakh Saffron
The legal battle was initiated by Advocate Indramohan Singh Honey, a BJP leader from Kota, Rajasthan.
- The Allegation: The complaint targets advertisements for Rajshree Pan Masala, which Salman Khan endorses. The ads claim the product contains “saffron-infused cardamom.”
- The Logic: The complainant argued that it is mathematically impossible for a pouch sold at ₹5 to contain real saffron, which costs nearly ₹4 Lakh per kilogram.
- The Charge: He accused the actor and the company of misleading the public—especially the youth—into consuming harmful products under the guise of premium ingredients.
The “Signature” Twist: Forgery Allegations
The case took a sharper turn during recent hearings when the complainant challenged the authenticity of the legal response filed by Salman’s team.
- The Objection: Advocate Singh claimed that the signature on the Power of Attorney and the reply submitted to the court did not match Salman Khan’s actual signature.
- The Comparison: He pointed out discrepancies between the signatures on these documents and those Salman had previously signed during his time in Jodhpur jail and court proceedings (related to the Blackbuck case).
- The Court Order: Taking these objections seriously, the Kota Consumer Court has ordered a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) examination of the signatures to verify their authenticity.
Salman’s Defense: “Silver, Not Saffron”
Salman Khan’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations.
- On the Product: They argued that the advertisement is strictly for “Silver-Coated Cardamom” (Elaichi) and not for pan masala or gutkha, distancing the actor from the harmful tobacco product category.
- On the Signature: They asserted that the signatures on the documents are genuine and match his official records, including his PAN card and passport. They termed the allegations of forgery as “frivolous.”
What Happens Next?
The court has set the next hearing for January 20, 2026.
- Personal Appearance: Salman Khan has been directed to appear in court personally on this date.
- Documents Required: He must bring relevant documents, and the notary who authorized the disputed power of attorney (Advocate R.C. Choubey) has also been asked to appear.
Conclusion
What started as a consumer complaint about “saffron” has now spiraled into a question of legal authenticity. As the FSL prepares to examine the documents, all eyes will be on the Kota court next month to see if “Bhaijaan” makes an appearance.
Do you think celebrities should be held responsible for the claims in the ads they endorse?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why has Salman Khan been summoned by the court? He has been summoned by the Kota Consumer Court regarding a “misleading” advertisement for Rajshree Pan Masala and to verify the authenticity of his signature on legal documents.
2. What is the date of Salman Khan’s court appearance? The court has ordered him to appear in person on January 20, 2026.
3. What is the “Saffron” controversy in the ad? The complainant argues that the ad claims the product has “saffron,” which is impossible given the low price (₹5) of the pouch, calling it misleading.
4. Why is a forensic test being done on Salman’s signature? The complainant alleged that the signature on Salman’s legal reply was forged and did not match his previous official signatures from the Jodhpur jail records.
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