Patanjali Misleading Ads: SC Closes Contempt Proceedings against Baba Ramdev

The Supreme Court on Tuesday closed the contempt proceedings against yoga guru Ramdev, his aide Acharya Balkrishna, and Patanjali Ayurved Limited after accepting their apology in the misleading advertisements case.

“The court has closed the contempt proceedings based on the undertakings provided by Ramdev, Balkrishna, and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd,” said advocate Gautam Talukdar, who represented the yoga guru, Balkrishna, and the firm.

On May 14, the apex court had reserved its order on the contempt notice.

The Top Court is currently hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which alleges a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and modern medical systems.

In an order dated November 21, 2023, the court noted that the counsel representing Patanjali Ayurved had assured that “henceforth there shall not be any violation of any law(s), especially relating to advertising or branding of products manufactured and marketed by it, and, further, that no casual statements claiming medicinal efficacy or against any system of medicine will be released to the media in any form.”

The Supreme Court emphasized that Patanjali Ayurved Ltd is “bound by this assurance.”

However, subsequent media statements by the firm, perceived as non-adherent to this specific assurance, prompted the apex court to issue a notice, requiring Patanjali Ayurved to show cause as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.