Misleading ads: SC issues contempt notice to Patanjali; imposes ban on ads

The Supreme Court at a hearing on February 27, 2024 slammed Patanjali Ayurved for continuing to come out with misleading ads on medicinal cures.

Coming down heavily on Patanjali, a bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said that “The entire country has been taken for a ride”. Patanjali founders, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, were issued contempt of court notices by the Supreme Court Bench for continuing to make misleading claims in its ads, thus ignoring the earlier order by the apex court.

The Court stated that no empirical evidence was found as to Patanjali’s medicines curing certain diseases.

The Supreme Court also ordered Patanjali to desist from advertising and marketing any of their medicinal products, which they claim would treat ailments specified in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.