Supreme Court summons Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna over Patanjali Ads case

Court had questioned why contempt actions should not be started due to apparent breach of promises made to the court

March 19, 2024

Patanjali advertising case: SC asks Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna to appear in person

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed the Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved, Acharya Balkrishna and Baba Ramdev to personally attend the court in connection with contempt charges concerning the advertising of their products and claimed health benefits.

The court has sent a notice to Ramdev asking him to justify why he should not face contempt proceedings.

The Supreme Court was addressing a complaint by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) that accused Ramdev of discrediting the vaccination initiative and allopathic medicine.

A bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah expressed dissatisfaction with the company and Balkrishna for not submitting their responses to earlier court notices.

These notices questioned why contempt actions should not be started due to their apparent breach of promises made to the court.

Earlier, in November last year, a bench headed by Justice Hima Kohli observed that Patanjali has, prima facie, violated the undertaking given to the apex court.

The court had asked the Ayurvedic company to not issue any misleading advertisement or statement till the next date of listing.

Patanjali had earlier assured the top court that it will not make any causal statements claiming the medicinal efficacy of its product or advertise or brand them in violation of law. It also undertook that the company will not release any statement against any system of medicine to the media in any form.

Multiple FIRs were filed against yoga guru and Patanjali founder Baba Ramdev across several states over his controversial comments against allopathic treatment of COVID-19. In a video, Ramdev said: “More people have died due to allopathic medicines than due to lack of medical oxygen or shortage of beds.”

He withdrew his comments the next day after receiving a strongly-worded letter from then Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who termed his remarks as “inappropriate”.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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