Misleading Ads: Baba Ramdev Tenders Unconditional Apology To Supreme Court

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday sought an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for violating the court”s order for misleading advertisements of Patanjali”s medicinal products. Earlier in November, the Supreme Court asked the Patanjali Ayurved to stop creating misleading advertisements against modern medicines and vaccines.

The Supreme Court earlier directed Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Acharya Balkrishna to appear in person before the court over the case to misleading advertisements. Senior advocate Balbir Singh, who represented Baba Ramdev, reportedly urged the apex court to accept Ramdev”s in-person apology. “We are tendering unconditional apology. He (Baba Ramdev) is here personally present to apologise,” said Balbir Singh in the court, as quoted by Bar and Bench. However, the top court reportedly termed this unconditional apology in person to be “lip service”.

The Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, came down heavily on Baba Ramdev for violating its directives on misleading advertisements. Justice Hima Kohli criticised Baba Ramdev”s decision to hold a press conference on the matter.

“You said documents have been attached, but the documents were created later on. This is a clear case of perjury!” Justice Hima Kohli added. In February, the top court heavily criticised the central government’s failure to address the false advertisement case involving Patanjali. “The government is sitting with its eyes closed,” said the Supreme Court on that occasion.

In November 2023, the apex court also warned that a penalty of Rs 1 crore would be levied if the misleading advertisements continue. The Supreme Court issued this warning while considering a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which alleges that the Patanjali brand’s misleading advertisements disparage allopathy.