The Supreme Court on Tuesday handed Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, the managing director of Patanjali Ayurveda, one more chance to submit their responses in the matter involving the deceptive advertisement. Within a week, the court ordered that the reply be filed. On April 10, there will be another hearing. Ramdev and Balkrishna were ordered by the court to attend the hearing.
Balveer Singh, Ramdev's attorney, informed the court during today's hearing that the yoga guru was in attendance to offer his condolences. unable to enter the courtroom because of the mob. The affidavit was shown to the court, which chastised it and declared it to be improper.
The court stated that in certain situations, the individual who disobeys an order apologises when Balveer Singh reads the apology. Ramdev's attorney's apology is not something we want to hear.
"We direct the Registrar to initiate a case of false statement against both of them," a bench consisting of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Amanatullah stated.
Balbir Singh was told by the court to be prepared. When Ramdev and Balkrishna arrived in the courtroom following the Supreme Court's censure, Ramdev offered an unequivocal apology.
"Orders from every court in the nation, including the Supreme Court, must be respected," the bench declared. You were required to obey the court's orders, and you went beyond all bounds."
The court questioned why the Center had closed its doors since Patanjali was traveling to every village and declaring that allopathy offers no relief for COVID.
On behalf of the Center, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that the incident should not have occurred due to an improperly filed affidavit. Mehta promised to work with Patanjali and Ramdev's attorneys.
The Indian Medical Association's appeal was being heard by the court. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) submitted the petition, which was being heard by the Supreme Court on August 17, 2022. It claimed that Patanjali had spread false information about allopathy and the COVID vaccine. He also made up the premise that his Ayurvedic medications could treat certain ailments.
Judge Hima Kohli: Store everything you own. We offer you a final week to make things right. The next hearing should be attended by everyone.
Hima Kohli, the Judge: Stow whatever you own. You have one last week to make a decision. At the next hearing, everyone ought to be there.
Honorable Amanatullah: Additionally, we want to file a lawsuit against them both for providing false testimony. We provide the registrar with instructions. I'll have Mr. Balbir Singh ready. You mentioned that there were airline tickets connected, but this is empty. Although you claim that certain documents exist, they do not. We are not betraying anyone.
Judge Hima Kohli: Although the documents were prepared later, you claim that they are attached. It is obvious that this testimony was false. We are reporting to you what we observed, rather than shutting the doors on you.
Honorable Amanatullah: Please help us with the defamation action, Mr. Mehta.
Hon. Amanatullah: Baba Ramdev has made significant contributions to yoga. He is unable to discover flaws in everyone, though.
Supreme Court: We're curious as to why the Central Government remained silent.
Judge Hima Kohli: We have inquiries regarding the AYUSH program. You filed a reply and sent Patanjali a notice. This response was not presented to us. We're curious as to why this occurred. You stated that COVID was the greatest addition to the primary medication when it was introduced in 2022. It wasn't made public.
Nothing happened during COVID-19 without the Center's approval. You took no action to make it known. When we brought up the matter, Patanjali received a warning notice from Uttarakhand during that trying period. AYUSH has a lot to be proud of. But their capabilities are limited. It's appalling how others were condemned. He ridiculed other people. Have you read the transcript?
Justice Hima Kohli: There won't be another opportunity to submit the affidavit. I replied to them after neglecting to do so before. They did not present the affidavit to us; they only now had it. How do we proceed?
Attorney General: Frequently, the plaintiff is not given the choice to do so.
Justice Amanatullah: He's had three opportunities.
Advocate Balveer Singh: We can submit a stronger affidavit, and he wants to apologize personally.
Supreme Court: This is not what we want to hear. First, we will conclude the contempt case. In court, you'll gain a little insight. Mr. Rohatgi was in front of you, and he represented both parties. They were also informed that we are treating this as a serious issue.
You are caught in your own trap, Justice Amanatullah. It never should have happened that a lawyer showed up. He should have been the first person to speak with forgiveness on his lips.
Advocate Balveer Singh: I made the choice to file an apology and to prevent him from coming here.
Supreme Court: When the defamator is called, there is no need for legal representation. We won't teach you this fundamental stuff because it is basic.
Honorable Amanatullah: We are not present to hear Advocate Balveer Singh apologize.
Judge Kohli: We have heard you; thank you. Who represents the government?
Attorney General Mehta: The events that transpired were avoidable. I'll have a seat with the attorneys and determine what has to be done.
Honorable Amanatullah: Finally, the government is not the plaintiff in this case. It is encouraging to see you make this point, as most government attorneys seem to have forgotten it.
Justice Kohli: The affidavit is requested. Consider this disdain deeply. In a day, you'll depart from here and hold a press conference. This demonstrates your knowledge of the legal proceedings and your violation of them.
Judge Kohli: Within a day, a news conference was held. Do you know this?
Balveer Singh, the advocate: This is an error. You cannot treat the court's justice with disdain. We must take this lesson to heart.
Judge Kohli: Thus, there ought to have been a logical conclusion to this lecture. This is just outright rudeness.
Justice Amanatullah: All of this is deceptive. You're implying that if the judge so decides,.
Balveer Singh, the advocate: Don't look at the language, please.
Honorable Amanatullah: We are unable to see inside your heart. This is not how contempt cases are prosecuted.
Judge Hima Kohli: For what reason is your apology accepted? Did you have to notify the ministry? The government required you to disclose everything.
Sanghi Advocate (Ayurvedic Patanjali): It's not for sale.
Justice Kohli: This establishment is for profit.
Justice Amanatullah: You cannot claim to be working for the benefit of the public or performing social services.
Sanghi, the advocate: Something is off in this situation.
Justice Kohli: And so the case is over. The issue is resolved if you were the one who made the error. We're going to witness it. We're not prepared to embrace it yet.
Balveer Singh, the advocate: We sincerely apologize. Here he is, himself, to offer an apology.
Judge Hima Kohli: Where is Baba Ramdev's and the other accused people's affidavit?
Balveer Singh (speaking on behalf of Ramdev): Due to the large number of people, we were unable to bring Ramdev into the courtroom.
Judge Amanatullah: Alright, no issue. Give him a call, and we'll make the inquiry.
Judge Hima Kohli: Is Baba Ramdev's response still pending?
Judge Hima Kohli: The judicial procedures come first. After we provide instructions, who is in charge of bringing it to the bottom? If your apology isn't worth defending, it won't be effective.
This is against the directives issued by the Supreme Court. We will not put up with the media department acting like an island and not knowing what goes on in court. These are merely expressions.
Justice Hima Kohli: We are examining the documents, whereby it is argued why the corporation and management should not be held in contempt for their failure to reply.
Honorable Amanatullah: Once you have provided the first two responses, you inform us.
Justice Hima Kohli: We are also examining the February 27 order, wherein the issue of failing to file a reply is present.
The court is considering Indian Medical Association's plea
On August 17, 2022, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) filed a plea with the Supreme Court. It claimed that Patanjali had spread false information about allopathy and the COVID vaccine. Simultaneously, he made bogus claims that his Ayurvedic remedies could cure certain ailments.
Even after the court order, Patanjali distributed advertisements. In December 2023 and January 2024, IMA produced print media advertisements for the court. In addition, the story mentioned a news conference held on November 22, 2023, with Yoga Guru Ramdev and Patanjali CEO Balkrishna. In these ads, Patanjali had promised to 'totally heal' asthma and diabetes.
Just one day had passed since the Supreme Court hearing before this press conference. Judge Amanullah declared during the hearing on November 21, 2023, that Patanjali will need to cease all deceptive advertising right away. Any such infraction will be taken extremely seriously by the court, which has the power to fine a party up to Rs 1 lakh for each fraudulent product claim.
The court declared that Patanjali was defrauding the nation by making false assertions.
During the previous hearing, the bench stated that Patanjali is defrauding the nation by falsely claiming that its medications can treat specific ailments, even though there isn't any hard data to support this. The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act prohibits Patanjali from advertising its products with the promise that they may treat any of the listed diseases.
What steps did the government take to counter Patanjali, as the court had asked?
Under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Marketing) Act 1954, the government was questioned by the court about what steps had been taken in response to Patanjali's marketing. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) stated that information is being gathered in this regard on behalf of the Center. The court ordered that the company's marketing be closely monitored and voiced its disapproval of this response.
There were many assertions made about Patanjali that he made COVID medication.
According to Ramdev Baba, Corona can be treated with Coronil and Swasari, two of his products. In addition, Patanjali has been involved in disputes over a few of its other items.
Before introducing instant atta noodles in 2015, the company failed to secure a license from the Food Safety and Regularity Authority of India (FSSAI). Patanjali was then served a legal notice for violating food safety regulations.
The Canteen Stores Department ruled Patanjali's Amla juice to be unsafe to consume in 2015. Following this, CSD took Amla juice out of every store. People in Haridwar had already complained about fungus and contaminants in Patanjali Ghee in 2015.
The FSSAI chastised Patanjali in 2018 as well for putting a month's ahead of time manufacturing date on the medication Giloy Ghanvati.
Aside from Corona, Patanjali's goods and Yoga's purported ability to cure cancer, AIDS, and homosexuality have landed Ramdev Baba in controversy on numerous occasions.
