SC warns Patanjali Ayurved to stop misleading advertisements: Will impose cost of Rs. 1 crore on every product claiming false ‘cure’ for a particular disease
Today, the Supreme Court (SC) of India heard a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association against the misleading advertisements of the Patanjali Ayurved. While hearing the petition, the SC bench issued a stern warning to the company (Patanjali Ayurved) co-founded by Baba Ramdev to stop publishing misleading claims against the modern system of medicine. The matter was heard today by a two-judge bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra. During the proceedings, Justice Amanullah orally remarked, “All such false and misleading advertisements of Patanjali Ayurved have to stop immediately. The Court will take any such infraction very seriously, and the Court will also consider imposing costs to the extent of Rs. 1 crores on every product regarding which a false claim is made that it can ‘cure’ a particular disease.”
Moreover, the bench observed that it did not wish to make the issue a matter of debate ‘Allopathy vs. Ayurveda’ and is interested in finding an original solution to prevent the publishing of misleading advertisements and claims. Earlier in 2022, the then Chief Justice of India NV Ramana heard a similar petition by IMA and observed “What happened to Baba Ramdev? He can popularize his system, but why should he criticize other systems. We all respect him, he popularized yoga but he shouldn’t criticize other systems. What is the guarantee that his system will work? He cannot refuse the doctor system. He must exercise restraint in abusing other systems.” The plea referred to July 10, 2022, half-page advertisement titled, “Misconceptions spread by Allopathy: Save yourself and the country from the misconceptions spread by Pharma and Medical Industry”.
During the court proceedings today (November 21, 2023), Advocate AOR Mrinmoi Chatterjee appeared for the intervenor association National Association of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Additional Solicitor General Mr. KM Nataraj appeared for the Union of India. Senor Advocate PS Patwalia along with Advocate Prabhas Bajaj appeared for the petitioner. Senior Advocate Sajan Poovayya appeared for Patanjali Ayurved.
