Supreme Court issues ultimatum to Patanjali Ayurved over misleading advertisements

In a stern rebuke, the Supreme Court has taken a hard stance against Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved for its defiance of court orders regarding misleading advertisements. The apex court has demanded Patanjali to take the contempt petition seriously and provide a more satisfactory response within a week.

Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, key figures in the company, were present in court as per the Supreme Court's directive. Despite Patanjali tendering an 'unconditional apology' for its violations, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the nature of the company's response.

The Supreme Court criticized Patanjali for continuing to publish misleading advertisements despite prior warnings. The company claimed its media department was unaware of the court order, but the court dismissed this as 'lip service' and emphasized the need for respecting court orders.

The apex court has rebuked Patanjali for holding a press conference within 24 hours of the proceedings, suggesting a deliberate violation of court orders.
Patanjali Ayurved has been instructed to file two separate affidavits for two distinct instances of contempt. One pertains to the company's persistence in publishing misleading advertisements, while the other concerns its failure to respond to the contempt notice issued to Balakrishna and the company.

Justice Kohli remarked, "Not just SC, every order passed by courts across the country has to be respected," emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The bench indicated that contempt cases against Patanjali would be pursued to their 'logical conclusion.'
Furthermore, the Supreme Court held the government responsible for not taking action against Patanjali's misleading claims regarding COVID-19 remedies, questioning why the authorities turned a blind eye to the issue.

The case against Patanjali Ayurved stems from allegations by the Indian Medical Association of a smear campaign against modern medicine through its advertisements. Despite assurances to the court, Patanjali allegedly violated laws related to advertising and branding, leading to contempt proceedings.

This development displays the significance of adhering to legal and ethical standards in advertising, especially concerning public health matters. The Supreme Court's firm stance signals a commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting consumers from deceptive marketing practices.