Surat: A pani puri manufacturer has approached the police after receiving a fake legal notice via email claiming to be from a firm named SSR Associates, which alleged that it represented Salman Khan’s legal team.

Jatin Desai, owner of Jalpooree Foods, received the fake notice from SSR Associates, which threatened to sue him for using Khan’s images in his advertisements and demanded Rs 15 crore in compensation, along with Rs 1.25 crore for legal fees. However, an online search revealed that no such firm existed. Desai subsequently reported the matter to the Surat cybercrime branch, filing an FIR for cheating and forgery against unknown individuals.

The FIR states that on March 30, Desai received an email containing a four-page document alleging that Desai had used Khan’s photo on Instagram and in advertisements to attract customers, deeming this action illegal. The email asserted that Desai’s firm had violated sections 66(e) and 72 of the IT Act, thus necessitating payment. Again, on April 2, Desai received another email from the same address, reminding him to pay the demanded amount, according to the FIR.

Suspecting a scam, Desai contacted the police. The cybercrime police have filed a case under several IPC sections, including 420, 465, 468, 471, 511, as well as sections 66(c) and 66(d) of the IT Act. DeshGujarat