The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Supreme Court delivered a stern rebuke to Patanjali Ayurved for issuing misleading advertisements, dismissing the apologies from yoga guru Ramdev and managing director Acharya Balkrishna as mere “lip service.” The bench, led by Justice Hima Kohli, also expressed dismay over the Central Government’s lack of action against Patanjali’s exaggerated product efficacy claims and disparagement of allopathy at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, questioning the government’s apparent oversight.
The rebuke came as Ramdev and Balkrishna faced the court regarding show cause notices on potential contempt proceedings, stemming from their failure to adhere to previous court undertakings related to advertising practices. The court’s dissatisfaction was evident as it noted their “absolute defiance” and warned of consequences for perjury, given discrepancies in document submissions.
During the hearing, the court underscored the seriousness of the allegations, emphasizing the responsibility of Patanjali Ayurved to comply fully with legal advertising standards and court undertakings. This confrontation follows Patanjali’s assurance last November to refrain from unlawful advertising, particularly claims concerning the medicinal efficacy of its products against specific diseases, disorders, or conditions.
The court’s critique extended to Patanjali Ayurved’s characterization of relevant laws as “archaic,” firmly stating that the company’s advertisements blatantly contravened the Drugs and Cosmetics (Magic Remedies) Act. With this, the court indicated its unwillingness to accept the apologies from Ramdev and Balkrishna at face value, intimating a potential for significant legal repercussions.
Senior advocates representing Patanjali attempted to mitigate the situation by pleading ignorance on behalf of the firm’s media department and promising a more comprehensive affidavit from Ramdev. However, the court remained unconvinced, highlighting the broader implications of the case for public trust and legal adherence.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, offered to assist in resolving the contempt proceedings, acknowledging the severity of the misconduct during a critical period of the global pandemic. The court’s commentary pointed out Patanjali’s misleading promotion of its products as definitive COVID-19 remedies, despite governmental advisories recommending Ayurvedic treatments only as supplementary.