Supreme Court questions government's inaction over Patanjali’s misleading ads

Delhi: The Supreme Court delivered scathing disapproval to yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved's Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishna, for their glaring disregard of court directives in a case concerning misleading advertisements. The bench also questioned the government's inaction, and wondered why the Centre chose to keep its eyes shut when Patanjali was going to town saying there was no remedy for Covid in allopathy.

The court also rebuked Patanjali MD's statement, stating that the Drugs and Cosmetics (Magic Remedies) Act is “archaic.”

Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, during the hearing, said, “Not just the Supreme Court, every order passed by the courts across this country has to be respected; this is absolute defiance.” 

“You have to abide by the undertaking given to the court and you have broken every barrier,” the bench told Ramdev and the Patanjali MD, who were present in person.

Senior advocate Balbir Singh, appearing for Ramdev, urged the court to take note of the presence of the yoga guru and his unconditional apology.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court, “What has happened should not have happened,” and offered to help the counsel for parties to find a solution to the whole issue.

Justice Kohli told the counsel for Balkrishna that “You should have made sure the affidavit is filed in pursuance of your solemn undertakings,”

Acknowledging the severity of the situation, the court granted one final opportunity for Ramdev and Balkrishna to file their affidavits within a week. 

While posting the matter for further hearing on April 10, the bench directed that both of them shall remain present before it on the next date. 

On March 19, the apex court had directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before it after taking exception to the company's failure to respond to the notice issued in the case relating to advertisements of the firm's products and their medicinal efficacy.

The top court had said it deemed it appropriate to issue a show cause notice to Ramdev as the advertisements issued by Patanjali, which were in the teeth of the undertaking given to the court on November 21, 2023, reflecting an endorsement by him.

The bench observed that advertisements issued by Patanjali are in the "teeth of law" of the land.

Last month, Balkrishna had tendered an unqualified apology to the apex court for advertising the herbal products of the firm claiming their medicinal efficacy in treating several serious diseases and running down other systems of medicine.

Patanjali Ayurved had assured the top court on November 21, 2023, that it will not violate any law, especially the laws relating to advertising or branding of products.