Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn has approached the Bombay High Court challenging a show-cause notice issued by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over his appearance in advertisements for 'Vimal Elaichi', alleging that the action against him is arbitrary.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna is likely to hear his petition on November 4.

The FDA had issued a show-cause notice to Devgn, alleging that advertisements promoting 'Vimal Elaichi' amounted to surrogate advertising for 'Vimal Pan Masala', a chewable product prohibited in Maharashtra.

Similar notices were also issued to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Tiger Shroff for appearing in the same advertisements.

In his petition, Devgn has argued that the FDA arbitrarily targeted him in his capacity as an actor instead of initiating action against the manufacturing company responsible for the product.

Meanwhile, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said on Friday that the proceedings against Devgn, Khan and Shroff for allegedly violating state rules had been completed.

He stated that the department had concluded its investigation and found violations by the actors. The matter will now be referred for adjudication next week.

Mundhe further clarified that Devgn's decision to approach the High Court would not stop the department from continuing its proceedings before the Joint Commissioner.

The FDA had earlier alleged that the 'Vimal Elaichi' advertising campaign was a form of surrogate promotion for prohibited pan masala and gutkha products in Maharashtra.