Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved’s Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna are set to appear before the Supreme Court on April 2, following the court’s directive in relation to misleading advertisements by the company. The apex court has summoned them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated for violating its orders prohibiting advertisements claiming to cure diseases and discrediting modern medicine.
The development stems from a case that began in November last year when the Supreme Court, while hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), cautioned Patanjali Ayurved against making “false” and “misleading” claims in advertisements about its medicines. The IMA highlighted several advertisements allegedly projecting allopathy and doctors in a poor light, leading to concerns about public misinformation.
In the recent hearing, the top court expressed strong displeasure over Patanjali’s failure to comply with its earlier directives. On February 27, the court had directed the company to cease all electronic and print advertisements of its medicines with misleading information. Despite this, Patanjali continued to publish such ads, prompting the court to issue a show-cause notice to Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna.
Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing Patanjali Ayurved, defended the company, stating, “Violation of the law is not contempt.” However, the court emphasized that the company’s actions contravened the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which prohibits advertisements claiming to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, and heart diseases.
The Supreme Court’s order also highlighted Patanjali’s past undertaking to refrain from advertisements featuring Ramdev’s face, which the company violated. The court noted that these advertisements directly contradicted the company’s assurances to the court.
In response to the summons, Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before the Supreme Court on April 2 to explain their actions. The court has taken a serious view of the matter, considering it a potential contempt of court.
The case has also drawn attention to the Centre’s role, with the court criticizing it for filing a late affidavit. The court warned that if the Centre’s response was unsatisfactory, necessary orders would be passed on the next date of hearing.
This legal battle underscores the importance of truthful and responsible advertising, especially in the healthcare sector. Misleading claims about medicinal products can have serious implications for public health and consumer trust. As the proceedings continue, all eyes will be on Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved’s response to the court’s summons and the subsequent developments in this case.
