FIR Against Gauri Khan has been lodged in Lucknow over a property dispute. Here are a few celebs who faced legal battles for endorsing a product.
The renowned interior designer and spouse of Pathan aka Shahrukh Rukh Khan has found herself enrolled in a legal battle. An FIR against Gauri Khan has been lodged under section 409 of the Indian Penal Code which is a criminal breach of trust.
What is the matter?
The complainant Jaswant Shah claims that Gauri Khan’s endorsement of the real estate company convinced him to purchase a flat in Lucknow. He purchased a flat in the Sushant Golf City area in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for a whopping ₹86 Lakhs. However, the company failed to provide him with possession of the said property and instead gave it away to someone else.
Not only Gauri Khan’s name is in the complaint but also the chief managing director of the construction company, Tulsiani construction and development limited, Anil Kumar Tulsiani, and the director Mahesh Tulsian’s names are also there. The case highlights the power of celebrity endorsement and the responsibility that comes along.
Gauri Khan has decorated the houses of many celebrities like Siddharth Malhotra, Farah Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez among others.
This FIR comes against Gauri at a time when her husband Shah Rukh Khan has been basking in the success of his recent blockbuster Pathan helmed by Siddharth Anand. The action-packed movie breached the 500 crore rupees net within a month of its release. It has also crossed the 1000 crore rupees mark worldwide.
Cases when celebrities faced legal battles for being a brand ambassador
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MS Dhoni
In 2016, MS Dhoni became the subject of controversy when residents of the Amrapali project in Uttar Pradesh who were dissatisfied with the real estate group started mentioning him on social media. The residents of Amrapali sapphire in Noida urged Dhoni to either distance himself from the company or to compel it to finish its incomplete projects. As a result of the social media uproar, MS Dhoni resigned from his position as the brand ambassador of the Amrapali Group.
Kim Kardashian
In a similar instance in 2012, Hollywood’s Kim Kardashian was sued for promoting a weight loss product on Instagram without disclosing that she was paid for the endorsement.
Kylie Jenner
In 2018, reality television star Kylie Jenner who is also Kim Kardashian’s sister faced a lawsuit for allegedly stealing the idea for her cosmetic lines from another makeup artist.
What law says about celebrity endorsement?
The extent to which celebrities are liable for their promotion depends on the fact whether they are endorsing a product or acting as a spokesperson or being used for testimonial purposes, where the liability is serious. At present, there is no specific law in the country to hold celebrities liable except a provision in the Food Safety and Standards Act.
This legal battle is sure to capture the attention of the media and the public shading the light world of the real estate transaction. However, considering the absence of the law, it is clear that Gauri Khan may easily get away from legal trouble.
It remains to be seen how this case unfolds but one thing is certain, it serves as a cautionary tale for consumers to do their due diligent research before making any significant investment.
As per recent reports, Mumbai Police arrested two men for trespassing on actor Shah Rukh Khan’s house, Mannat, in the Bandstand area of Bandra West at around 9.30 pm on Thursday.
Both the accused are residents of Surat in Gujarat and are between the age group of 21 to 25 years. The trespassers managed to reach the third floor of Mannat where they were nabbed by SRK’s security.
