Dettol Drags Influencers Raj Shamani and Ritik Chaturvedi to Delhi High Court

In a move that’s making waves across the influencer and legal worlds, Dettol’s parent company, Reckitt Benckiser India, has taken prominent content creators Raj Shamani and Ritik Chaturvedi to the Delhi High Court over a podcast episode and Instagram reel that allegedly misrepresented their antiseptic product.

The controversy began with a podcast titled “Skin Mistakes You Didn’t Know! Tanning & Sunburn EXPOSED,” which featured dermatologist Dr Manjot Marwah alongside the influencer duo. Things escalated quickly when an Instagram reel posted on April 5 carried the bold caption, “Never use Dettol on your skin.” The video went viral, drawing over 2.4 million views and stirring strong reactions from viewers and Reckitt Benckiser.

Raj Shamani, known for his motivational content and entrepreneurial insights, and Ritik Chaturvedi, his co-host, are among India’s most recognizable young influencers. With a massive audience spread across platforms, their opinions carry serious weight, especially regarding lifestyle and health topics. But this time, their words may have crossed a legal line.

Reckitt has called the statements misleading and damaging. The company emphasized that Dettol Antiseptic Liquid has been a trusted skin-care product since 1936, regulated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. It took particular issue with the influencers implying Dettol was essentially a floor cleaner unsuitable for human skin.

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Another point of contention was the discussion’s reference to a Philippines FDA report. Reckitt argued that this report was irrelevant to Dettol’s usage or approval in India, where the formulation and regulations are entirely different.

At the first hearing, the Delhi High Court acknowledged Dr Marwah’s credentials and her right to share medical opinions but stopped short of passing orders. The case will be heard again on April 8.