The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): Baba Ramdev, a well-known Indian yoga guru, is currently facing criminal charges for allegedly making false claims about the therapeutic capabilities of his Ayurvedic products, including a treatment for COVID-19. According to case documents reviewed by Reuters, a state regulator has accused Ramdev of promoting his product, Coronil, as a COVID-19 cure, although it was only approved as an immunity booster.
The charges against Ramdev extend beyond the coronavirus claims, as the filing also indicates he misrepresented the efficacy of his products in treating conditions like cardiac disorders and cancer. These allegations are part of a broader April 16 complaint lodged by a drugs regulator in a Haridwar court, which remains confidential.
A spokesperson for Ramdev and his company, Patanjali Ayurved, has refuted the accusations regarding the COVID-19 medication, stating their intentions to clarify the matter in court. However, there was no response to the other allegations from the spokesperson.
This case, taking place in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar, where Ramdev’s business operations are based, adds to his ongoing legal challenges. Previously, India’s Supreme Court has reprimanded Ramdev for similar misleading advertisements, rejecting his apologies.
The filing specifically highlighted that during the pandemic, Ramdev incorrectly promoted Coronil, claiming it was a definitive cure. This product was notably launched in 2020 with high-profile endorsements, including from a former health minister.
Furthermore, the case documents reveal recent allegations against Ramdev involving a 2024 advertisement for “Divya Cystogrit,” purportedly marketed as a cancer cure. The case is set to be reviewed by a judge this Friday, bringing further scrutiny to Ramdev’s business practices and the veracity of his product claims.
