Patanjali ads: SC lashes out at Ramdev, associate, says apology 'lip service'

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday tore into Patanjali Ayurved's defence for putting out misleading advertisements, rejecting the apology from yoga guru Ramdev and the firm's managing director Acharya Balkrishna as "lip service" and warning them against perjury.

The bench, headed by Justice Hima Kohli, also questioned the Centre's alleged inaction over Patanjali's tall claims about the efficacy of its products and denigrating allopathy during the Covid peak and asked why the government chose to keep its "eyes shut".

Both Ramdev and Balkrishna were present in court in connection with show cause notices on why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on April 10. Giving them a last one week opportunity to file affidavits, it took strong note of their "absolute defiance" in not adhering to the undertaking given before it in the case filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Sternly reprimanding Ramdev and his number two Balkrishna, Justice Kohli said the court was taking their apology with a "sack full of salt".

The bench also warned Patanjali, Ramdev and Balkrishna that it would take note of "perjury" as certain documents, which were said to be attached with other papers, were created later on.

"This is a clear case of perjury. We are not closing the doors on you but we are telling all that we have noted," the bench said.

Patanjali Ayurved Ltd assured the top court on November 21 last year that it will not violate any law, especially those relating to advertising or branding of products.

It also assured the bench that "no casual statements claiming medicinal efficacy or against any system of medicine will be released to the media".

On Tuesday, the court strongly disapproved of Balkrishna's statement that the Drugs and Cosmetics (Magic Remedies) Act is "archaic" and said Patanjali Ayurved's advertisements were in the "teeth of the Act" and violated the undertaking given to the court. (PTI)