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Informist, Tuesday, Aug 13, 2024

 

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court today closed its contempt proceedings against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, its Co-founder Baba Ramdev, and Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna for publishing misleading advertisements for its ayurvedic products and violating the top court's order. The court "strictly" warned Patanjali, Ramdev, and Balkrishna that they would not do anything in violation of its orders like had happened earlier in this case. 

 

"We have come down heavily and we warn that this should not be done in future. The affidavits tendered before this court(by Patanjali, Ramdev and Balkrishna) should be done with full truth," said the Bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah. "We close the contempt proceedings initiated against the party with the warning of adhering to the orders passed by this court in this case. The notice issued to present contemnor also stands discharge and closed," the Bench added.

 

The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association, which raised concern over the continuous, systematic, and unabated spread of misinformation regarding allopathic and modern medicines. The petition also sought action against the company, Ramdev, and Balkrishna for misleading advertisements.

 

On Nov 21, the court had reprimanded Patanjali and asked the company to halt false, misleading claims and advertisements against the modern system of medicine, or risk fines to the extent of 10 mln rupees on every product regarding which a false claim is made. However, the very next day, Ramdev and Balkrishna held a press conference and made misleading claims, the lawyer for the Indian Medical Association had argued. The bench was also upset about an advertisement issued by Patanjali on Dec 4 which was in violation of their undertaking given to the court. The press conference and advertisement had claimed Patanjali had permanent cures for diabetes, blood pressure, asthma, arthritis, and glaucoma, among other diseases.  

 

In February, the apex court came down sharply on Patanjali for its misleading advertisements on the medicinal efficacy of its products. It had barred the company from advertising or branding its products that claimed to treat ailments specified in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act. The court had also cautioned Patanjali Ayurved, the parent company of Patanjali Foods Ltd, from making statements against any system of medicine in any media and in any form. Further, the court had also initiated contempt proceedings against Patanjali Ayurved, Ramdev and Balkrishna.

 

On Apr 10, the top court had twice refused to accept the "unconditional" and "unqualified" apology from Ramdev and Balkrishna in the contempt case against them. On Apr 16, the top court had granted Ramdev and Balkrishna a week to take steps in connection to the misleading advertisements for their ayurvedic products. On Apr 24, Patanjali Ayurved had issued a fresh, more prominent apology in newspapers for publishing misleading advertisements for its Ayurvedic products. 

 

At 1232 IST, shares of Patanjali Foods were down 0.1% at 1,772 rupees on the National Stock Exchange.  End

 

IST, or Indian Standard Time, is five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT

 

Reported by Surya Tripathi

Edited by Manisha Baxla

 

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