Gurugram: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of a social media influencer with nearly 87,000 followers who was booked after his home-made herbal hair oil allegedly caused severe reactions in 71 people during a promotional camp in Sangrur.
In a four-page order, Justice Harpreet Singh Brar offered a philosophical perspective on society’s obsession with beauty, even quoting from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to drive home his point. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
Justice Brar dismissed Amandeep Singh’s petition seeking protection from arrest in connection with an FIR registered on March 17 this year under Section 124 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by the use of acid or other means) and Section 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, under which the first conviction entails up to six months of jail or fine, or both.
The influencer, who markets himself as a hair stylist, organised a camp at the Kali Mata Temple in Punjab’s Sangrur on March 16, where he sold his homemade herbal oil along with shampoo for Rs 1,300 per set, according to the case details.
Singh used social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote his homemade herbal oil, claiming it could cure baldness. Approximately, 500 people attended the event where he applied the oil on the head of the complainant.
After washing off the oil as instructed, the complainant experienced severe eye irritation and facial swelling, and rushed to a hospital.
“The complainant went to the Civil Hospital, Sangrur where he found out that 60-70 people had arrived there with identical complaints. Consequently, FIR was registered,” according to the order.
Singh’s counsel Paras Talwar argued that his client has helped many of his 86,900 social media followers deal with hair loss using his oil. He claimed that more than 500 people attended the camp. He said the adverse reactions occurred as they failed to follow the instructions.
The State, represented by Assistant Advocate General Rishabh Singla, presented a status report dated May 8, revealing that 71 individuals were admitted to the civil hospital with severe contact dermatitis, a form of conjunctivitis caused by an irritant in the oil.
He further submitted that according to the Sangrur senior medical officer while the injuries were simple, untreated cases could have led to vision loss.
In a detailed order rejecting the bail plea, Justice Brar cited the broader societal implications of such incidents.
The court noted that leveraging his social media influence, the petitioner sold the oil and shampoo for Rs. 1,300 per set to around 500 attendees. The severe irritation experienced by 71 individuals, necessitating immediate medical attention, underscored the oil’s harmful effects.
A Shakespeare reference
Delving into the cultural context, the court referenced Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, quoting, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind,” to highlight society’s obsession with superficial beauty.
The court severely criticised “internet-famous, unqualified quacks” who exploit people’s insecurities about appearance.
Justice Brar expressed concern about beauty and fitness influencers who set “unrealistic standards by creating a make-believe world,” noting that “the constant pressure to look a certain way often has a deleterious effect on mental health of children and adults alike”.
The judge emphasised that products should only be introduced to the market after ensuring their safety and determining possible side-effects.
“Advertising a product making tall, misleading claims, without any scientific evidence or clinical testing to back it up, must be strictly condemned,” the order stated.
Justice Brar underscored the State’s duty to protect public health and maintain market integrity, stating that allowing such practices undermines both.
Concluding that the petitioner’s actions warranted no leniency, the court dismissed the plea, asserting that public safety and accountability must prevail.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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