Delhi HC dismisses Vimal maker's plea against FDA notices to actors

The Delhi High Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by PB Agro LLP, the maker of Vimal Elaichi, challenging showcause notices issued by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Tiger Shroff. The court ruled it lacked territorial jurisdiction to hear the case, stating that courts in Maharashtra are the appropriate forum. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed the petition, holding that the matter concerned alleged activities and statutory violations in Maharashtra. The court cited the doctrine of forum conveniens, which directs that cases should be heard in the most appropriate and convenient location. "The factum of petitioner operating its business from Delhi or engaging brand ambassadors from Delhi, especially when the impugned notice has not been issued to the petitioner herein, cannot by themselves confer territorial jurisdiction upon this Court," the judge observed. The dispute originated from showcause notices issued by the Maharashtra FDA on August 11. The regulator alleged that advertisements for Vimal Elaichi constituted surrogate promotion of Vimal Pan Masala, a chewable product banned in Maharashtra.