Contempt case against Patanjali Ayurved concerning the publication of misleading medical advertisements, SC lists the matter for hearing on April 23

On April 16, 2024 (Tuesday), Patanjali Ayurved’s Co-founder Baba Ramdev and Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna personally appeared before the Supreme Court (SC) of India. They expressed unconditional apology in the contempt proceedings concerning the publication of misleading medical advertisements case despite the undertaking given to the top court in November 2023. Earlier on April 02, Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved MD appeared before the SC bench. On April 16, the two-judge bench comprising Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah said, “We are not saying we will forgive you. We cannot be blind to your earlier history, we will think about your apology. You are not innocent that you were completely unaware of what was going on in the Court. At this moment, we are not saying they’re off the hook.” Therefore, the bench listed the matter for hearing on April 23.

During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi who appeared for Baba Ramdev and MD of Patanjali Ayurved told the bench “I am willing to give a public apology to show contrition and to tell the public that it is not that I am doing only some lip service in court.” After considering all the submissions, the bench ordered, “Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the proposed contemnors, submits that to redeem themselves and demonstrate their bonafide, they propose to take some steps…and request one week’s time to revert on the aforesaid aspect. This court has interacted with the proposed contemnors and heard their submissions. At the request of the respondents, list on April 23.”