Don’t use talc, SRK to inmates

Actor Shah Rukh Khan has advice for jail inmates — don’t use talcum powder.

“No accused person charged with serious offence is permitted to use any such talcum powder inside the jail,” said Khan, in reply to a legal notice sent by Anjum Ansari after his brother Ashrat, an undertrial at Arthur Road jail, developed a rash after using the Navratna Cool Talc endorsed by the actor.

Ashrat is an accused in the 2003 Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar blasts case.

Unable to deal with the prickly heat in his cramped cell, Ashrat had asked his brother to get him some talcum powder to help ease the irritation.

But the Navratna Cool Talc Anjum got, increased the burning sensation, Ansari claimed, adding that his fellow inmates too faced the same problem.

Upset, Anjum approached the consumer court and on June 5 sent legal notices to the manufacturer in Himachal Pradesh, the Emami group, and Khan.

Anjum not only demanded that the manufacturer stop all production, withdraw stock and ensure the ad campaigns are stopped, but that Khan should publicly apologise for endorsing the product and donate the money irresponsibly earned to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

But Khan, through his lawyer, demanded that the notice be withdrawn and Anjum should apologise for making false allegations against him.

Khan said the notice was issued to gain “cheap publicity”.

“The false and frivolous allegations have been made with an intention of blackmail to extract money,” Khan said.

On the allegations that the talc is injurious to health, Khan’s letter states that the product is manufactured under the licence issued by Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the ingredients approved by the Drug and Cosmetic Licencing Authorities.

But the Ansaris are unfazed.

Ashrat’s lawyer Shushant Kujuram said: “We will send another notice to Khan. If we do not get a reply, we will file a criminal defamation suit against him.”