SC refuses Patanjali’s apology on misleading ads, says the message must go to society

In the latest development of  Patanjali's misleading ads case, the Supreme Court refused to accept Patanjali Ayurved's Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna apology affidavit for the second time and warned them to be ready to face action in the contempt case.

“The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of the undertaking," the bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice A Amanullah said.

Hitting out strong, the bench said, “They say the purpose of the advertisement was to keep people connected with Ayurvedic medicines as if they are the first ones in the world to come up with Ayurvedic medicines.”

"We are not going to let you free. All complaints were forwarded to you. Take note, we want a reply on everything," said the SC bench.

Supreme Court raps the Uttarakhand State authorities for not taking action against Patanjali for its misleading medical advertisements. "We will rip you apart," the Court stated.

Dismissing the second affidavit of apology submitted by Patanjali, the bench asked, "Now a message must go to society. We are making it a part of your conduct. What kind of medications have you been coming out with?"

"Till the matter hit the news, this Court did not have the benefit of the affidavit. They (the affidavits) were brought into the public domain before placing them before this court," Justice Kohli said.

Justice Kholi addressed the State Licensing Authority, questioning, “Why should we not think you are in cahoots with alleged contemnors? You are keeping your eyes shut deliberately.”

According to media reports, a bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah was hearing the matter.

Previously, the Supreme Court issued pointed remarks against the pair, dismissing their prior apologies as mere 'lip service'. The bench also expressed strong dissent towards Balkrishna's assertion that the Drugs and Cosmetics (Magic Remedies) Act was  'archaic'.