Gutka Ads: Petition seeks withdrawal of Padma Awards from Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, and Saif Ali Khan

Allahabad: Advocate Moti Lal Yadav, who filed a PIL against misleading Gutkha advertisements, has urged the government to revoke the Padma awards given to actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, and Saif Ali Khan. Additionally, he called for the registration of an FIR against these actors and Gutkha companies, along with a fine of Rs 50 lakh on both parties.

The response came after the Allahabad High Court issued notices to the actors in the Gutkha advertisement case. Moti Lal Yadav emphasized that these actors were involved in misleading advertisements for tobacco products.

He initially filed a public interest litigation on September 22, prompting the High Court to instruct the government to develop guidelines for revoking the ‘Padma’ awards and initiate legal action against the actors. The court also recommended imposing a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the tobacco manufacturing companies and the actors involved in the misleading advertisements. The next hearing is scheduled for May 9, 2024.