Misleading advertisement case: Ramdev, Balakrishna apologize again with bigger advertisement

Yoga guru Ramdev and his associate Balkrishna have issued a public apology in newspapers for not following the directions of the Supreme Court in the misleading advertisement case against Patanjali Ayurveda Limited. Patanjali had also apologized yesterday but the court had asked whether its size was as big as the misleading advertisements of its medicines.

The advertisement published on Tuesday covers one-fourth of a newspaper page and is titled "Unconditional Public Apology". “In view of the ongoing case (Writ Petition C. No. 645/2022) before the Honorable Supreme Court of India, we, in our individual capacity as well as on behalf of the Company, unreservedly apologize for the non-compliance or disobedience. "

The note further said, “We unreservedly apologize for holding the meeting/press conference on 22.11.2023. We sincerely apologize for the mistake in publishing our advertisements and it is our full commitment That such errors will not be repeated. We undertake to follow the instructions of the Hon'ble Court with due care and utmost sincerity and to abide by the applicable laws and instructions of the Hon'ble Court/authorities. We promise - Balkrishna, Swami Ramdev, Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

The ad published on Monday was very small and did not even include the names of Ramdev and Balkrishna.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev and Balkrishna, told the court that the apology was published in 67 newspapers at a cost of Rs 10 lakh but the court remained firm. "Please cut the ads and give them to us. Do not enlarge them and show them to us. We want to see the actual size of the ad. We want to see that when you release an ad, it does not mean that we have to look at it under a microscope. Have to see." The next hearing in this case will be on April 30 and during that time the court has also asked Ramdev and Balkrishna to be present.

This matter is from the time of Covid when Patanjali had launched a medicine named Coronil in 2021. Ramdev had claimed about this medicine as "the first evidence-based medicine for Covid-19". Patanjali also claimed that Coronil has certification from the World Health Organization, but the Indian Medical Association described this as "blatant falsehood".

It was learned that Patanjali's medicines have cured people of diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, liver cirrhosis, arthritis and asthma.

On November 21 last year, the Supreme Court had warned Patanjali against such claims and also warned of imposing a heavy fine. According to court documents, Patanjali's lawyer had then assured that "from now on, there will be no violation of any law, especially related to advertising and branding of products."

On January 15 this year, the Supreme Court received an anonymous letter addressed to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, copies of which were sent to Justice Kohli and Justice Amanullah. The letter mentions the misleading advertisements being continuously issued by Patanjali. IMA's counsel, senior advocate PS Patwalia, also showed the court the newspaper advertisement following the November 21, 2023 warning and the transcript of a press conference of Ramdev and Balkrishna after the court hearing. After this, the court sought a reply from Patanjali and asked that contempt proceedings be initiated against it.

On March 19, the court was told that Patanjali had not filed its reply to the contempt notice. After this the court asked Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in person. The court came down heavily on Ramdev and Balakrishna for "complete disobedience" by not filing proper affidavits on the misleading advertisements in the April 2 hearing. After this, on April 10, the apology was rejected by the Supreme Court because it was sent to the media first.

The court said his apology was "not heartfelt" and was "a mere show of words". Subsequently, at a hearing on 16 April, both were asked to demonstrate their intention to apologise.