On April 10, the Supreme Court rejected the apologies from yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd’s managing director, Acharya Balkrishna, regarding misleading advertisements. The court also criticized the Uttarakhand government for not taking action against Patanjali Ayurved for breaking the law. The Bench, led by Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, stated they won’t be lenient in this matter.
Justice Hima Kohli said that the public is always the one who suffers. She’s worried about FMCG companies who deceive consumers with false promises about their products. People spend money on these products and end up harming their health. That’s totally not okay. The case will continue on April 16.
Supreme Court Slams Patanjali for Misleading Ads
The Supreme Court, led by Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, criticized Patanjali Ayurved for its misleading advertisements claiming to cure various ailments, including COVID-19, during the pandemic. They called it a deliberate violation of the 1954 Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. The court had started contempt proceedings against Patanjali and its head, Mr. Balkrishna, on February 27 for breaking a promise made in November 2023 to stop such ads. Despite court orders, Ramdev held a press conference the next day. The justices questioned the sincerity of the apology, stating it came only after facing consequences.
The court mentioned in its order that Ramdev and Balkrishna tried to avoid appearing personally in court, attempting to find a way out.
Justice Amanullah expressed frustration, stating that such behavior undermines the credibility of the Supreme Court, making people believe that judges are detached from reality. The court emphasized its determination to take action against anyone who breaks the law, regardless of their status, without showing any leniency.
10 Key Points on Supreme Court’s Response to Patanjali Misleading Ads Case
- Supreme Court Rejects Apologies: The Supreme Court declined an unconditional apology from yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd’s managing director Acharya Balkrishna regarding misleading advertisements.
- Criticism of Uttarakhand Government: Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah criticized the Uttarakhand government for not taking action against Patanjali Ayurved for violating the law. They highlighted how innocent consumers relied on the company’s medicines, believing they would cure their ailments.
- Concern for Consumer Rights: The court expressed concern about all fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, including Patanjali, that deceive consumers with false promises.
- Inadequate Action by State Licensing Authority: The court criticized the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for insufficient action against objectionable advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved.
- Demand for Accountability: Justices demanded accountability from government officials, suggesting suspensions for those responsible for neglecting complaints about misleading ads.
- Orders for Officer Responses: The court ordered all district Ayurvedic and Unani officers since 2018 to provide responses regarding actions taken against misleading advertisements.
- Submission of Apology: Ramdev and Balkrishna submitted an unconditional apology on April 9, pledging to abide by the law and uphold justice.
- Previous Criticism of Apology: Earlier, on April 2, the court criticized Ramdev and Balkrishna’s apology as insincere “lip service.”
- Concerns About Exaggerated Claims: The court raised concerns about Patanjali’s exaggerated claims about product effectiveness, particularly during the Covid pandemic. It also criticized the government’s inaction in addressing these issues.
- Further Hearing Scheduled: The court scheduled the case for further hearing on April 16 to address these critical issues.
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