Patanjali misleading ads case: ‘File affidavits within 1 week,’ SC to Ramdev, Balkrishna

Patanjali misleading ads case: Taking a stringent stance against Patanjali Ayurveda Limited, the Supreme Court asked Patanjali Ayurveda’s managing director, Acharya Balakrishna and Yoga Guru Ramdev to file fresh affidavits within a week in a matter pertaining to misleading advertisements by the Patanjali Ayurveda.

A bench of justices, Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, listed the matter for further hearing on April 10 and directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before it.

During the hearing, the top court indicated that it would need to initiate a perjury case against Ramdev and Balkrishna. It observed that although documents were attached with the affidavit, they were created after the fact. "This constitutes clear perjury. We are not shutting the door on you, but we are taking note of everything," the court stated.

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Yoga Guru Ramdev has offered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for disregarding its order regarding misleading advertisements of Patanjali's medicinal products. Similarly, Acharya Balkrishna has also submitted an unconditional apology in court through an affidavit.

The top court also expressed concern over the Centre and said that they are wondering why the Centre chose to keep their eyes shut.

The Supreme Court also expressed dissatisfaction with the apology offered by Patanjali Ayurveda for violating its previous undertaking, stating it does not persuade the court. 

The court observed that Patanjali Ayurveda prima facie breached its order from November 2023, cautioning against misleading advertisements about its medicines. 

The company was restrained from advertising products specified as treating diseases under drug norms and warned against making derogatory statements about any medical system in the media. 

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The case arose from a plea by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) seeking guidelines to prohibit false and misleading advertisements in allopathy and modern medicine. The IMA, representing over 330,000 medical doctors, raised concerns about misinformation campaigns against modern medicine and urged strict action against Patanjali Ayurveda under relevant laws for illegal advertising. 

(With inputs from agencies) 

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