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The Bizarre Case: FIR Against Shah Rukh Khan Over a Car
In a truly perplexing turn of events, a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against none other than Bollywood’s ‘Badshah’ Shah Rukh Khan and superstar Deepika Padukone. The reason? A supposedly defective car that has led to a three-year ordeal for a frustrated lawyer. This isn’t just a simple consumer dispute; it’s a high-profile legal battle questioning the responsibility of celebrity brand ambassadors.
This story is trending furiously across news and social media. It highlights a common problem for consumers—a faulty product—but escalates it dramatically by involving two of India’s biggest stars. This article delves deep, explained exactly why a manufacturing defect in a Hyundai car ultimately led to an FIR against Shah Rukh Khan. We’ll cover the lawyer’s arduous journey, the dangerous car problem, and the crucial debate around celebrity endorsements.
The Complainant: A Lawyer’s 3-Year Battle
The complainant is Kirti Singh, a 50-year-old lawyer residing in Aniruddh Nagar, Bharatpur, Rajasthan. In 2022, Singh purchased a Hyundai Alcazar for approximately ₹23 lakh. Lacking availability at his local dealer, the car was acquired from Malwa Auto Sales Private Limited in Sonipat, Haryana.
However, the dream of a new car quickly turned into a nightmare. Singh claims that shortly after purchase, the vehicle began exhibiting severe technical malfunctions. Despite repeated complaints to the agency and Hyundai officials, he alleges that the problem was identified as a “permanent manufacturing defect” that could not be rectified. After years of frustration and alleged refusal by the company to replace the car or refund his money, Singh approached the courts, leading to the FIR against Shah Rukh Khan and others being registered at the Mathura Gate police station in Bharatpur.
A Dangerous Defect: “RPM Up, Speed Down”
At the heart of the legal complaint is a specific and potentially life-threatening flaw in the Hyundai Alcazar. Kirti Singh described the dangerous situation he faced:
- The Problem: When attempting to overtake or accelerate, the car’s engine RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) would increase rapidly, but the vehicle’s actual speed would not increase. Instead, the car would start to vibrate violently.
- The Risk: Singh recounted, “As soon as I tried to overtake, the car’s RPM increased but the speed didn’t. The car started vibrating, and because of this, I have narrowly escaped accidents many times.”
- The Temporary Fix: He was allegedly advised by the service agency to stop the car in a “safe zone,” run the engine at 2000 RPM for about an hour, to clear an “Engine Management System Malfunction” message. Singh claims he endured this impractical routine for nearly three years without a permanent solution.
This critical defect is the foundation of the fraud allegations, ultimately pulling the celebrity endorsers into the legal fray.
Why Bollywood Stars? The Brand Ambassador Dilemma
The most puzzling aspect for many is why Bollywood stalwarts Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, who endorse Hyundai, are included in an FIR about a car defect. Kirti Singh, the complainant, has a clear and strong stance on this.
He stated that as brand ambassadors, celebrities bear a significant responsibility for the products they promote. In his words:
“They are brand ambassadors. When you brand a defective vehicle… it is my responsibility to ensure such brand ambassadors are stopped. They are acting against the law.”
Singh’s argument highlights a growing consumer awareness regarding celebrity endorsements. The belief is that if a celebrity lends their face and credibility to a product, they implicitly vouch for its quality and safety. When that product allegedly turns out to be defective and dangerous, the consumer feels cheated, not just by the company, but also by the faces that promoted it. This specific legal action will undoubtedly spark a broader debate on brand ambassador responsibility in India. For more details on consumer protection laws, refer to the Consumer Protection Act. For more information about our company and our editorial policies, please visit our About Page.
Police Action and Legal Next Steps
The complaint, filed via court, has been registered at the Mathura Gate police station in Bharatpur. The FIR names several Hyundai officials, including Enso Kim, Tarun Garg, Nitin Sharma, and Priyanka Sharma, alongside brand ambassadors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. They have been booked under various sections related to fraud and selling technically defective goods.
The police have confirmed the registration of the case. They stated that the investigation is now underway, and they will proceed by examining all provided documents and recording statements from all parties involved. The outcome of this investigation will set a precedent for similar consumer grievances in the future.
Conclusion: Who is Responsible?
The FIR against Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone over a defective car is more than just a legal case; it’s a test of accountability in the age of celebrity endorsements. While the direct manufacturing fault lies with the company, the complainant’s decision to include the brand ambassadors forces a crucial societal and legal conversation. Who bears the ultimate responsibility when a product endorsed by a superstar fails to meet expectations and poses a danger to consumers? The results of this investigation will undoubtedly have significant implications for both consumer law and celebrity endorsements in India.
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