The Supreme Court has issued a summon for Baba Ramdev and MD Acharya Balkrishna to appear personally in court for failing to respond to a show cause notice in contempt proceedings related to misleading advertisements by the company.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohtagi representing Patanjali, argued that violation of the law was not contempt of court. However, the bench, comprising justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah passed the order for Ramdev to appear personally in the next hearing.
Meanwhile, Patanjali Ayurved and its Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishna have filed an unconditional apology before the SC for airing misleading advertisements. They have undertaken not to repeat such actions. The apology came in an affidavit filed a day after Balkrishna was summoned to appear in person before the top court along with Baba Ramdev on 2 April.
Notices were previously issued to Patanjali Ayurved and Balkrishna, questioning their violation of court orders and warning of potential contempt proceedings. The bench remarked that Balkrishna and Ramdev were prima facie violating Sections 3 and 4 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
This development follows the court’s criticism of Patanjali Ayurved on 27 February for disseminating misleading advertisements. These advertisements claimed to treat medical conditions such as BP, diabetes, fevers, epilepsy, and lupus.
