Title: Supreme Court Rejects Apology from Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Over Misleading Advertisements
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, dismissed the “unconditional and unqualified apology” tendered by Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved’s Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna in response to a contempt notice issued regarding the continued publication of misleading advertisements.
A bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah strongly criticized the latest affidavits filed by Ramdev and Balkrishna, deeming them as “nothing but a piece of paper.” The court expressed grave concern over the violation of the undertaking given to the Supreme Court in November last year.
Previously, Patanjali had assured the apex court that it would refrain from making any casual statements regarding the medicinal efficacy of its products or advertising them in violation of the law. However, the company failed to adhere to this commitment, leading to the contempt notice.
During the hearing, the Bench rebuked Ramdev and Balkrishna for submitting improper versions of affidavits and declined to accept Patanjali’s claim that its media department was unaware of the SC undertaking.
Subsequently, fresh affidavits were filed by the duo, pledging to uphold the majesty of law and justice and refrain from making public statements that breach the November 2023 undertaking.
Ramdev and Balkrishna were summoned to court after Patanjali failed to respond to the contempt notice.
The Indian Medical Association has urged action against Patanjali for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. This Act prohibits the advertisement of certain products for the treatment of specified diseases and disorders, including diabetes, heart diseases, high or low blood pressure, and obesity.
