Rajasthan panel stays non-bailable warrant against Salman Khan in pan masala ad case

The Rajasthan State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission on Friday stayed the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against actor Salman Khan in a case related to alleged misleading advertisements of Rajshree Pan Masala, famously promoted with the tagline “Bolo Zubaan Kesari” .

The state commission was hearing revision petitions filed by the pan masala manufacturer and Khan, challenging proceedings initiated by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Jaipur-II.

Khan’s counsel submitted that the district commission had issued a bailable warrant without duly serving summons and was proceeding to issue a non-bailable warrant even though an application seeking cancellation of the bailable warrant was pending.

Taking note of the submissions, the state commission directed the district commission to expeditiously hear the pending application and restrained it from issuing any non-bailable warrant until the bailable warrant is executed .

Earlier, the Jaipur-II district commission had issued a bailable warrant directing the actor to appear before it on February 6 while hearing a contempt petition filed by complainant Yogendra Singh.

The contempt plea alleged that despite an interim restraint order dated January 6, 2026 , advertisements of Rajshree Pan Masala continued to be displayed. According to the complainant, a signboard carrying the “Bolo Zubaan Kesari” advertisement was installed on January 9 near Nayapura Stadium in Kota, allegedly violating the commission’s order.

The original complaint accused Rajshree Pan Masala and its brand ambassador Salman Khan of issuing misleading advertisements under the descriptions “Kesar Yukt Elaichi” and “Kesar Yukt Pan Masala”, which the complainant claimed could mislead consumers regarding the nature of the product.

Acting on the complaint, the district commission had imposed an interim ban on the promotion and advertisement of the product pending final adjudication.

Addressing why proceedings were initiated against Salman Khan and not other endorsers, legal experts note that consumer law permits action against endorsers who are directly named in a complaint and whose association with the disputed advertisement is clearly established. Khan, as the most prominent and continuing face of the “Bolo Zubaan Kesari” campaign, was specifically impleaded along with the company in this case. The proceedings do not preclude action against other endorsers or officials if they are later named or evidence is produced.

The case, however, remains procedural in nature , with no final finding on contempt or misleading advertisement at this stage. The state commission’s order offers temporary relief to the actor while directing the district commission to follow due process.