Rajasthan Man Sues Hyundai, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Over Faulty Alcazar.

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

A Bharatpur consumer has filed a criminal case against Hyundai Motors, its executives, and brand ambassadors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone over a defective Hyundai Alcazar. The complaint alleges life-threatening defects and misleading endorsements. Police registered the FIR under IPC and BNS sections following a court order.

In an unprecedented consumer rights case, a 50-year-old Rajasthan resident has filed a criminal complaint against Hyundai Motors India, its senior management, dealership officials, and brand ambassadors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. Kirti Singh of Bharatpur alleges he was sold a technically defective Hyundai Alcazar that possesses an unfixable manufacturing fault, jeopardizing his family’s safety. The Mathura Gate Police registered the FIR on August 25 following a directive from the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Bharatpur.

Singh’s complaint details a troubling pattern of corporate negligence and misleading advertising. He purchased the Hyundai Alcazar 1.5 AT Signature model for ₹23.97 lakh on June 14, 2022, from Malwa Auto Sales in Sonipat. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle began exhibiting severe technical faults, including abnormal RPM surges, violent vibrations, and repeated “Engine Management System Malfunction” warnings during acceleration. These issues allegedly created significant safety risks during overtaking maneuvers on highways.

The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) notes that Singh’s attempts to seek redressal were met with astonishing admissions from company representatives. They reportedly acknowledged the problem as a known, irreparable manufacturing defect and advised Singh to park the vehicle and run it at 2000 RPM for an hour whenever the malfunction occurred—a temporary measure deemed unacceptable by the consumer.

The FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (420, 406, 120B) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (312, 318, 316, 61, 175(3)), covering cheating, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and endangerment. The accused include Hyundai Motor India’s Managing Director Anso Kim, COO Tarun Garg, Malwa Auto Sales MD Nitin Sharma, and Director Priyanka Sharma. In a rare move, actors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone were also named for their promotional endorsement of the brand.

Singh’s petition argues that the celebrities, by endorsing Hyundai, misled consumers into believing the Alcazar was a reliable and safe product. He contends that all parties conspired to conceal known defects, defrauding customers who relied on these representations. The police have confirmed the investigation is active and will proceed based on documented evidence and witness statements.

This case raises critical questions about accountability in celebrity endorsements and corporate responsibility in India’s automotive sector. Singh continues to pay his vehicle loan instalments for a car he claims is unusable, suffering financial, physical, and mental distress. His decision to pursue legal action highlights growing consumer frustration with unresolved product defects and corporate unresponsiveness.

The Sprouts News SIT has identified a pattern of similar complaints against various automotive manufacturers, though few escalate to criminal proceedings involving high-profile ambassadors. This case could set a significant legal precedent, potentially increasing liability for celebrities who endorse products without due diligence on their quality and safety.

Industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the investigation, as its outcome could reshape advertising regulations and consumer protection enforcement in India. The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team will continue to track this developing story, which underscores the urgent need for stronger consumer safeguards and transparent corporate practices.