"Desperation To Look Attractive": P&H High Court Denies Pre-Arrest Bail To Influencer Whose Hair-Growth Oil Caused Adverse Reaction

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to a hair stylist and social-media influencer whose hair growth promising oil resulted into an allergic reaction, observing that "advertising a product making tall, misleading claims, without any scientific evidence or clinical testing to back it up, must be strictly condemned."

"Beauty, in spite of being fleeting and superficial in nature, has beguiled mankind since time immemorial", said Justice Harpreet Singh Brar while quoting Shakespeare's 16th century play- A Midsummer Night's Dream which states, “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”

The Court said that the "desperation to look attractive and save the receding stocks has choke-hold on men and women alike, even today".

"Having heard learned counsel for the parties and after perusing the record of the case with their able assistance, it transpires that the petitioner is a social media influencer who has developed a hair oil that claims to aid hair growth. He organized a camp at Sangrur on 16.03.2025 where he sold a bottle of the said oil along with a bottle of shampoo for Rs. 1300/-. It appears that about 500 persons were in attendance at the event and as many as 71 of them faced severe irritation in the eyes due to the use of the said oil. The severity of the discomfort caused therefrom can be ascertained from the fact that they had to rush to the Civil Hospital, Sangrur for immediate treatment," the court added. 

It said that that the present matter is yet another "unfortunate example of internet-famous, unqualified quacks taking advantage of common man's insecurities."

"One cannot overlook the role played by the so-called beauty and fitness influencers in setting unrealistic standards by creating a make-believe world. In a bid to meet these fickle societal standards of beauty, vulnerable people go to extreme lengths and even undergo risky procedures," the Court observed.

The judge added that the constant pressure to look a certain way often has a deleterious effect on mental health of children and adults alike. "In fact, in this day and age where social media and marketing agendas so deeply affects one's self-esteem, we, as a society, must endeavour to promote authenticity over curated perfection."

Justice Brar highlighted that "a product must be only be introduced in the market after ensuring its safety and determining possible side-effects, to avoid or mitigate any harm."

These observations were made while hearing the plea of Amandeep Singh, a hair stylist who stated to have huge following on social media.

Singh allegedly, ran advertisements on social media platforms- Facebook and Instagram regarding his oil, claiming it will help overcome baldness. It was further stated that he would be holding a camp at Kali Mata Temple, Sangrur. On the said date, the complainant arrived at the venue and the petitioner applied his oil to his head.

The petitioner asked him to wash it after 5 minutes. However, after the complainant washed his head, his eyes started burning and his face swelled up. The complainant went to the Civil Hospital, Sangrur where he found out that 60-70 people had arrived there with identical complaints.

Consequently an FIR was lodged under Section 124 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (hereinafter 'BNS') and Section 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.

After hearing the submissions, the Court noted that about 500 persons were in attendance at the event and as many as 71 of them faced severe irritation in the eyes due to the use of the said oil. 

It observed that the severity of the discomfort caused therefrom can be ascertained from the fact that they had to rush to the Civil Hospital, Sangrur for immediate treatment.

Stating that “maintenance of general public health as well as a sense of trust in the market is a duty of the State that must be performed with utmost sincerity,” the Court refused to grant any relief.

Mr. Paras Talwar, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Rishabh Singla, AAG, Punjab.

 Title: Amandeep Singh @ Aman v. State of Punjab

Click here to read/download the order