Wilful disobedience': Supreme Court slams Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, rejects apology

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to accept the unconditional apology tendered by Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved MD Acharya Balkrishna, in the misleading advertisements case.

Baba Ramdev leaves the Supreme Court after appearing in the misleading advertisements case on Tuesday. (ANI)

In strongly worded observations, the court said the "apology on paper" was issued only because their "back is against the wall".

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Referring to Patanjali Ayurveda allegedly publishing misleading advertisements despite their undertaking that they would desist from the same, the court asked the duo to be ready to face action in the contempt case.

"The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking," Justice Hima Kohli said.

The court described Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna's conduct as wilful disobedience.

"We don’t accept it (apology), we decline to accept this. We consider it a wilful, deliberate disobedience of the undertaking," the court added.

Also read: SC hears Ramdev’s apology with ‘a sack full of salt’, tells him he is bound by law

After senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi read out Baba Ramdev's affidavit saying he tenders "unconditional and unqualified" apology, the court said the Supreme Court said the message must go out to the society not to violate its order.

The court also observed that the "contemnors" sent the affidavits to the media first. "They believe in publicity clearly," the court observed.

On Tuesday, Baba Ramdev, facing contempt proceedings, said he sincerely regrets the lapse and he wished to assure that the same will not be repeated in future.

Also read: ‘Broken every barrier’: Supreme Court raps Baba Ramdev, Patanjali for ‘defiance’ | Key takeaways

"I seek pardon for the aforesaid breach of the statement. I undertake to always uphold the majesty of Law and majesty of Justice," his affidavit read.

He also wrote that no advertisements claiming cures for diseases will be published. Baba Ramdev further tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology for the press conference held on November 22, 2023.

Acharya Balkrishna said that he undertakes to ensure that such offending advertisements shall not be issued in the future and he will be more vigilant ahead.