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February 28, 2024 8:51 AM IST
In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a contempt notice to Patanjali Ayurved and its managing director Acharya Balakrishna, owned by yoga guru Ramdev Baba, for allegedly issuing misleading advertisements and flouting an earlier undertaking given to the court.
The apex court took stern action against Patanjali Ayurved, banning the company from promoting products claimed to cure diseases such as heart ailments and asthma. Additionally, the court prohibited Patanjali from making any public statements against any medical system in any form of media, reported Mint.
A writ petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) was heard by a bench comprising Justice Hima Kholi and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah. The bench had earlier contemplated a blanket ban on all product advertisements but decided to restrict the curbs on the advertisement of products related to diseases and ailments under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954 for the time being, considering Patanjali’s potential impact on business interests.
During the hearing, the court expressed strong disapproval of Patanjali’s advertisements, questioning the veracity of claims such as “permanent relief” and demanding clarification on whether such claims amounted to a cure.
The court also demanded a detailed affidavit from the Union regarding the steps taken to remove these advertisements.
Evidence presented in court by the Indian Medical Association included a Patanjali advertisement in The Hindu newspaper and statements made during a press conference where the company claimed to have cured sugar and asthma with the help of yoga. These claims were deemed a violation of the court’s previous order, which had prohibited Patanjali from issuing misleading advertisements and making unsubstantiated claims.
This isn’t the first time Patanjali has faced warnings from the Supreme Court. In a ruling last November, the Court had cautioned the company against publishing misleading claims and advertisements targeting modern systems of medicine, warning of a fine of ₹1 crore if such promotions continued.
The contempt notice issued by the Supreme Court underscores the seriousness with which misleading advertisements and health claims are being addressed by the judiciary, emphasizing the need for transparency and accuracy in marketing practices within the healthcare industry.
