Court Notice to Aamir Khan: In a notable legal development involving celebrity brand endorsements and e-commerce accountability, the Kota District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has issued a formal notice to Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.
The court order stems from a complaint concerning the alleged sale of counterfeit products via the online shopping portal Snapdeal.
According to media reports, the consumer forum has directed the actor, along with Snapdeal co-founders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, to present their responses before the court on September 18, 2026.
The case has reignited key discussions around the legal liability of public figures who endorse products and platforms, as well as the responsibilities of e-commerce marketplaces regarding vendor authenticity and quality assurance.
Background of the Dispute: A 2019 Online Purchase
Court Notice to Aamir Khan: As per local news reports, the controversy dates back to 2019 when the complainant, Advocate Indramohan Singh ‘Honey’, placed an order on Snapdeal for a belt and wallet branded under the Woodland label.
After receiving the package, the buyer visited an authorized Woodland outlet to verify the authenticity of the merchandise.
According to media reports, staff at the official showroom examined the items and allegedly flagged them as counterfeit products rather than genuine Woodland merchandise.
Following this revelation, the complainant initially lodged a police complaint, leading to the registration of FIR No. 500/2019 at the Gumanpura police station in Kota.
Following initial police proceedings and subsequent legal filings, the dispute was escalated to the consumer forum to seek damages and accountability regarding the transaction.
Why Aamir Khan Was Named as a Respondent
According to media reports, the complainant filed an amended complaint under Section 35 of the Consumer Protection Act through advocate representatives.
The application sought to explicitly include Snapdeal co-founders Kunal Bahl and Rohit Bansal, alongside actor Aamir Khan, who served as a brand ambassador associated with the platform’s promotional campaigns.
The complainant argued that consumers frequently rely on the credibility, reputation, and goodwill of celebrity endorsers when choosing to transact on e-commerce platforms.
Citing legal standards and recent judicial precedents regarding endorsement responsibilities, the petitioner asserted that celebrity promoters share a duty of care toward consumers regarding product authenticity and quality claims made in promotional material.
Upon reviewing the amended complaint, the Kota Consumer Commission accepted the petition and issued notices to all named respondents, instructing them to submit their official statements on September 18, 2026.
Key Legal Issues: E-Commerce Liability and Celebrity Endorsements
This case highlights two critical legal questions currently being examined across Indian legal forums:
Marketplace Responsibility: Under current consumer protection norms, online marketplace platforms are subjected to stricter scrutiny regarding third-party seller verification, anti-counterfeiting protocols, and consumer grievance redressal mechanism efficiency.
Endorser Liability: The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 explicitly outlines provisions regarding misleading advertisements and endorser liability.
Unless an endorser can demonstrate due diligence in verifying the claims made in promotional campaigns, they may face administrative scrutiny or civil liability under specific circumstances.
According to legal experts quoted in media reports, the issuance of a notice by a consumer forum is a standard procedural step allowing named parties to submit their defense and does not constitute a finding of guilt or liability.
What Lies Ahead for the September 18 Hearing
As reported by media outlets, the Kota Consumer Commission will review the written submissions and legal arguments presented by the legal representatives of Aamir Khan, Snapdeal management, and the complainant during the scheduled hearing on September 18.
The court will assess whether the seller, platform operators, or promotional representatives carry specific obligations toward the buyer in this instance.
The final outcome of the proceedings is expected to establish further clarity on how consumer forums handle endorsement accountability in online shopping disputes across Rajasthan and beyond.