A Rajasthan lawyer has lodged a police complaint naming Hyundai and its celebrity brand ambassadors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, alleging that a defective Alcazar SUV sold to him in 2022 jeopardized his family’s safety. The case accuses the company and its endorsers of cheating, conspiracy, and breach of trust, bringing corporate accountability and star power under legal scrutiny.
A Car Purchase Turns Into a Legal Battle
The FIR was filed by advocate Kirti Singh, 50, at the Mathura Gate police station in Bharatpur. Singh said he purchased a Hyundai Alcazar, 2022 model, from a Sonipat dealership for ₹23.97 lakh. Soon after, he claims, the vehicle began developing technical issues particularly engine vibration and loss of power during acceleration or overtaking, along with error messages on the car’s system.
Singh alleged that despite repeated complaints, neither the company nor the dealership resolved the defects. Instead, he was told the problem was a “manufacturing defect” that could not be permanently fixed. Temporary measures offered by mechanics, he said, failed to prevent recurring malfunctions.
Allegations of Cheating, Breach of Trust
According to the FIR, Singh accused Hyundai and the dealership of concealing the car’s defects at the time of purchase. He also named brand ambassadors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, arguing that their promotion of the vehicle influenced his decision to buy it.
The case has been registered under sections of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy. Singh claims the ordeal has left him burdened with financial stress—he is still repaying the car loan—and exposed his family to repeated danger on the road.
“When I reported the defects, I was told by dealers that Hyundai already knew about the problem but still sold the car,” Singh alleged in his statement.
Larger Questions on Accountability
While celebrity endorsements of automobiles are common in India, Singh’s FIR extends liability beyond manufacturers to their public promoters. Legal experts say such cases could test the limits of how far brand ambassadors can be held responsible for product defects.
Singh argued that both the company and its ambassadors misled consumers by projecting the Alcazar as reliable despite known flaws. “This has put my life and my family’s life in jeopardy several times,” he said.