Bhubaneswar, July 4: The Odisha State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has granted interim relief to Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan by temporarily staying legal proceedings against him in a consumer complaint alleging that he endorsed a misleading soft drink advertisement.

The interim order came after Roshan challenged a decision of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kalahandi, which had rejected his plea to be removed from the case and allowed the proceedings against him to continue.

The complaint was filed by Deepak Kumar Dubey, a resident of Khariar in Kalahandi district. Dubey alleged that his 11-year-old son was influenced by a television commercial featuring Hrithik Roshan, in which the actor appeared to promote a soft drink by suggesting that it could provide energy and help overcome fear.

According to the complainant, the advertisement convinced his son that consuming the beverage would improve his sporting abilities and inspired him to imitate risky stunts shown in the commercial. Dubey claimed the advertisement made false and misleading claims that adversely affected his child.

The complaint names both Hrithik Roshan and the beverage manufacturing company as opposite parties. After the district commission admitted the case, Roshan sought to have his name removed from the proceedings, but his request was rejected.

He subsequently approached the State Consumer Commission in Cuttack, which has now stayed the proceedings against him and issued notices to both the complainant and the beverage company, directing them to file their responses. The matter will be heard after the replies are submitted.

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