SC Closes Contempt Case Against Ramdev and Balkrishna in Patanjali Misleading Ads Case

“The court has closed the contempt proceedings based on the undertakings given by Ramdev, Balkrishna, and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd,” Talukdar stated.

The apex court had reserved its order on the contempt notice on May 14, following contentious hearings.

During the last hearing, the court questioned IMA President R.V. Asokan regarding his unconditional apology to the Supreme Court over “damaging” remarks made in an interview with PTI, where he criticized the court’s stance on the IMA and certain practices of private doctors. The court directed that Asokan’s apology be published in the same newspapers that carried his original interview, at his personal expense, not using IMA funds.

The case revolved around allegations by the IMA that Patanjali Ayurved was engaging in a smear campaign against modern medicine through its advertisements, which claimed that their herbal products could treat various serious diseases. The company had earlier assured the court that it would comply with advertising laws but was later found in violation, prompting the initiation of contempt proceedings.

In response to the court’s orders, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna tendered an unconditional apology for the misleading advertisements and pledged to uphold the law and the integrity of the justice system.