India, Nov. 3 -- Actor Ajay Devgn has termed the show-cause notice issued to him by the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for endorsing "Vimal Elaichi" as a "mere farce and an empty formality."

In his petition filed before the Bombay high court, Devgn said that the FDA had already reached a conclusion by treating his endorsement of "Vimal Elaichi" as promotion of "Vimal Pan Masala," even before considering his explanation, adding that the show-cause notice served to him by the FDA on August 16 was "premeditated and predetermined".

A bench is likely to hear the actor's petition on November 4

The petition also termed the action wholly arbitrary and mala fide, in abject violation of the principles of natural justice, and as ...