The FDA had earlier issued notices to the three actors over their advertisements for Vimal Elaichi, alleging that the campaign amounted to surrogate advertising for prohibited pan masala products.
The FDA has finished its investigation and found that the actors violated the rules, Mundhe said, adding that the matter would be referred for adjudication next week. Mundhe told reporters that Devgn had approached the Bombay high court in connection with the case. However, he said the department would continue proceedings before the joint commissioner despite Devgn’s move to the HC. The proceedings have now concluded, and the case will be proposed for adjudication before the joint commissioner, who is the competent authority, by next week,” Mundhe said.
Adjudication is a quasi-judicial process in which regulatory authorities examine evidence and decide whether applicable laws have been violated. It enables penalties to be imposed for non-criminal offences without lengthy court proceedings. “Three actors sought time to respond. The assistant commissioner has completed the investigation and found that they violated the state’s rules in the Vimal Pan Masala advertising case.