NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday closed contempt proceedings against Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd managing director, Balkrishna.
This legal reprieve came after Ramdev and Balkrishna submitted multiple apology affidavits and an undertaking to refrain from issuing misleading advertisements and claims about their products.
A bench of justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta, while accepting their apologies, issued a stern warning that the contempt case would be reopened if they breached any terms of their undertaking in the future.
The contempt proceedings had originated from a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which accused Ramdev and Balkrishna of making misleading claims about the effectiveness and benefits of Patanjali’s products.
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In previous hearings, the Supreme Court expressed concern over misleading advertisements and statements, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The court emphasized the need for responsible discourse, warning that misinformation could undermine public trust in the healthcare system.
In November 2023, Patanjali had given an undertaking to stop running misleading advertisements and making disparaging statements against modern or any other form of medicine.
However, the IMA presented a video clip of a press conference held by Ramdev and advertisements from Patanjali in national media, which appeared just a day after their November 21 undertaking. The IMA also submitted a series of advertisements where Patanjali products were branded as cures for various ailments, including hypertension and diabetes.
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The court, irked by the violation of its orders, issued several subsequent orders calling Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in person and show cause why they should not be punished for contempt. Despite their apologies, the court had initially refused to accept them, expressing dissatisfaction with their sincerity.
Faced with the threat of severe legal consequences, Ramdev and Balkrishna submitted multiple affidavits apologizing unconditionally and published public apologies in the media. They acknowledged the seriousness of their actions and assured the court that Patanjali would no longer engage in misleading advertising practices. Additionally, they committed to ensuring that all future advertisements and public statements would comply with relevant laws and regulations.