The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order in a court case linked to misleading advertisements against Patanjali Ayurved, Baba Ramdev, and Acharya Balkrishna. Here’s a breakdown of the latest developments:
Background
Last year, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) moved the Supreme Court, alleging that Patanjali had launched a smear campaign against modern medicine, claiming its products could cure diseases. The court, after critical remarks, received an undertaking from the company to refrain from such claims.
Court’s Remarks on Influence:
When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta praised Ramdev’s contribution to yoga, the court made an adverse remark. “What has been done for yoga is good, but Patanjali products are another matter,” Justice Kohli replied.
Order Reservation
The bench reserved its order in the Patanjali case, advising Ramdev to use his influence responsibly. “Baba Ramdev has a lot of influence, use it in the right way,” the court remarked.
Apologies and Compliance
After the Supreme Court took a tough stance, Ramdev and Balkrishna published full-page apologies in newspapers twice. The court expressed satisfaction at the apologies earlier this month.
Affidavits and Recalls
The bench granted Patanjali three weeks to file affidavits indicating steps taken to recall misleading ads for products with suspended licenses. Patanjali’s counsel informed the court that the company has stopped running the advertisements for banned products and halted their sale.
While the Supreme Court appreciated Ramdev’s contributions to yoga, it remained critical of Patanjali’s advertising practices. The court’s decision on the contempt case is awaited, signaling potential ramifications for the FMCG giant and its promoters.
