New Delhi: Yoga Guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda Limited MD Acharya Balkrishnan’s company have apologized to the Supreme Court over the advertisements issued by their company. The Supreme Court has strongly reprimanded them. The court said that we are not blind. We refuse to accept the apology. In Patanjali’s controversial advertisement case (Patanjali Misleading Advertisement Case), the Supreme Court also rejected the second apology of Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna. The bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Amanatullah told Patanjali’s lawyers Vipin Sanghi and Mukul Rohatgi that you have violated the court order, be ready for action.
In the Patanjali misleading advertisement case, senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi read out the affidavit of yoga guru Baba Ramdev before the Supreme Court bench, in which he had said that he apologizes unconditionally on the advertisement issue. The Supreme Court said that we consider it a deliberate disobedience of the order. This message should go to the society that the court order should not be violated.
The court had asked the government what action has been taken against Patanjali’s advertisements under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954. On behalf of the Centre, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) said that data is being collected in this regard. The court expressed displeasure over this reply and directed to keep an eye on the company’s advertisements.
Patanjali had released advertisements even after the court order
In the earlier hearing, IMA presented before the court the advertisements released in print media in December 2023 and January 2024. Apart from this, it was also clarified about a press conference of Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev with Patanjali CEO Balkrishna on 22 November 2023. Patanjali had claimed in these advertisements to ‘completely cure’ diabetes and asthma.
what is the whole matter
On July 10, 2022, Patanjali released an advertisement. In the advertisement, allopathy was accused of spreading misconceptions. Against this, on August 17, 2022, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the misleading advertisement of Patanjali.
Patanjali on backfoot in misleading advertisement case, apologized unconditionally
In the hearing held on 21 November 2023, Justice Amanullah had said – Patanjali will have to immediately stop all advertisements with misleading claims. The court will take any such violation very seriously and can impose a penalty of up to Rs 1 crore for each false claim on a product.
What is Consumer Protection Act 2019?
Under this law, if a company makes false or misleading advertisement which is against the interest of the consumer, then it can be punished with imprisonment of up to 2 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. If the company commits such an offense again, the fine increases to Rs 50 lakh and a punishment of five years.
What is Drugs and Magic Remedies Act 1954
Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 – This law prohibits the promotion and marketing of fake remedies and medicines. Apart from this, those who claim to completely cure any disease without scientific proof are considered guilty of violating this law. This law considers such claims in the category of cognizable offence.
