Indian yoga guru, businessman, and brand ambassador of the consumer goods company Patanjali Ayurved, Baba Ramdev has apologized to the Supreme Court of India for not abiding by its order in the misleading advertisement case on April 2. The Supreme Court has given Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, chairman of Patanjali Ayurved, a last chance to submit a compliance affidavit regarding the contempt proceedings.
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Supreme Court issued a show cause notice against Patanjali
Earlier on March 19, Justice Hima Kohli and Ahsannuddin Amanullah of the Supreme Court issued a show cause notice against Ramdev for misleading the public with false promotions of Patanjali’s medicinal products and deprecating modern medicines during the Covid pandemic, thereby violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. However, Patanjali’s chairman Balkrishna said in response that the Drugs and Cosmetics (Magic Remedies) Act is very old-fashioned. The Supreme Court condemned the statement and questioned the Central government as to why it had been silent when Patanjali promoted its medicinal products saying there was no treatment for COVID-19 in the allopathy.
Supreme Court rejects Ramdev’s unconditional apology
Ramdev’s lawyer Balbir Singh today said that Patanjali founder Ramdev and Managing Director Balkrishna wanted to apologise to the Court and request more time to file a fresh affidavit. The Court however rejected the apology as insincere. It said that the firm should have ensured that a proper affidavit was filed persuading the court not to initiate contempt proceedings against the company.
Justice Hima Kohli added that they could also say sorry for not accepting the affidavit and emphasized reaching a logical conclusion rather than just giving “lip service”.
The Court gives Ramdev a last opportunity
The court giving a last opportunity to the company asked Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna to remain present on April 10, the next date of hearing.
Every court order to be respected
The apex court said that one should conform to the word given to the court and Patanjali has crossed the limit. Accusing it of absolute non-compliance the SC reminded that every order issued by any court throughout the country should be respected.
What happened earlier?
Previously on November 21, 2023, the Supreme Court had ordered Patanjali not to publish misleading ads comprising “casual statements” in print or electronic media about the effectiveness of their medicinal products or anyhow discredit allopathy treatment or modern medicines. However, the Supreme Court observed further violation of the order by the company.
Petition filed against Patanjali by IMA
The Supreme Court is currently hearing the petition that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had lodged against Patanjali for allegedly holding campaigns against the COVID-19 vaccination drive and the modern medical sciences.
