Bollywood actor Salman Khan has issued a detailed clarification in the ongoing pan masala advertisement controversy, telling the court that he supported silver-coated cardamom and “not” GutkhaHe submitted a comprehensive reply before the Kota Consumer Court and also requested for verification of the signatures submitted in his reply.

The controversy stems from a Complaint filed against Khan On an alleged misleading advertisement of a pan masala brand. The hearing of the case continues in Kota Consumer Court, the next hearing will be on December 9.

Representing Salman Khan, lawyer Ashish Dubey informed the court that the consumer commission does not have jurisdiction to address the complaint. He clarified that the actor is neither a manufacturer nor a service provider of pan masala, arguing that it is legally inappropriate to involve him in the case.

Dubey further alleged that the complainant has dragged Khan into the case on false grounds, causing “unnecessary harassment”.

Lawyer reiterates that Salman Khan did not advertise Gutkha Or pan masala, but only with silver-coated cardamom – an item that does not fall into the pan masala category. He argued that this weakens the foundation of the complaint.

Meanwhile, complainant Pradeep Pracharak Singh Hani has objected to the reply filed by Khan. They argue that the signature on the document does not appear to be the real signature of Salman Khan.

Hani has requested the court to order the personal appearance of the actor and verify the signatures submitted.

The controversy relates to an advertisement promoting “saffron-coated cardamom” and “saffron-coated pan masala”. Kota BJP leader and lawyer Inder Mohan Singh Honey had filed a complaint alleging that Salman Khan and the company are misleading the public as real saffron cannot be used in a Rs 5 bag.

He warned that such advertisements encourage youth to consume pan masala and tobacco products, which has serious health consequences. “The company, Rajshree Pan Masala, and its brand ambassador, actor Salman Khan, claim that the product contains saffron and encourage the youth to consume it. Salman Khan is a role model for many,” Honey told ANI.

He further said, “In other countries, celebrities or film stars do not even promote cold drinks, but they are promoting tobacco and pan masala. I urge them not to spread the wrong message among the youth because pan masala is one of the major causes of oral cancer.”

The court had accepted the concerns raised and issued notice to Salman Khan and Rajshree Pan Masala.