Cuttack, July 4: The Odisha State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has put a temporary hold on the consumer complaint proceedings against Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, who has been accused of endorsing a misleading soft drink advertisement.
The interim relief came after Roshan challenged an order passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kalahandi, which had refused to remove him from the case and allowed the complaint to continue.
The complaint was filed by Deepak Kumar Dubey, a resident of Khariar in Odisha's Kalahandi district. Dubey alleged that his 11-year-old son was influenced by a television advertisement featuring Hrithik Roshan promoting a soft drink. According to the complaint, the commercial suggested that the beverage could boost energy levels and help overcome fear.
Dubey claimed that the advertisement convinced his son that drinking the soft drink would improve his performance in school sports. He further alleged that the child attempted to imitate the risky stunts shown in the commercial, arguing that the advertisement made misleading claims that adversely affected his son.
The complaint named both Hrithik Roshan and the beverage manufacturer as respondents. After admitting the case, the district consumer commission issued notices to both parties.
Roshan later sought to have his name removed from the proceedings, but the district commission dismissed his request. He subsequently approached the Odisha State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Cuttack, challenging that decision.
On Friday, the State Commission granted an interim stay on the proceedings against the actor. It also directed the complainant and the soft drink company to submit their replies and issued notices to both.
