Kerala Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Baba Ramdev

A Kerala court has issued non-bailable warrants against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna after they failed to appear in a criminal case filed by the Kerala Drugs Inspector against Divya Pharmacy over alleged misleading medical advertisements, reports Live Law.

The Judicial First Class Magistrate-II in Palakkad issued the warrants to ensure their presence on February 15. Previously, the court had issued bailable warrants for their appearance on February 1, but their failure to comply led to the stricter order.

Divya Pharmacy, affiliated with Patanjali Ayurved, is accused under Sections 3, 3(b), and 3(d) of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. These provisions prohibit advertisements that falsely claim to diagnose, cure, or prevent diseases, including those related to sexual performance.

Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balakrishna, and Divya Pharmacy are listed as the third, second, and first accused, respectively.

Patanjali Ayurved has previously faced scrutiny from the Supreme Court for allegedly publishing misleading advertisements that undermine modern medicine. Although the court had issued a contempt notice against the company, the matter was closed after Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balakrishna, and Patanjali Ayurved issued a public apology.