Supreme Court update on contempt proceeding against Patanjali Ayurved, next hearing on May 07

In a recent development, the Uttarakhand licensing authority told the Supreme Court that it has suspended the licenses of 14 products sold by the Patanjali Ayurved and Divya Pharmacy with immediate effect. An affidavit was filed where the Uttarakhand licensing authority mentioned that it suspended the license of 14 Patanjali products in connection with the misleading advertisements case. The suspended products include Divya Pharmacy's Swasari Gold, Bronchom, Swasari Avaleh, Lipidom, Drishti Eye Drop, Livogrit, Madhunashini Vati Extra Power, Eyegrit Gold, Mukta Vati Extra Power, Livamrit Advance, Swasari Vati, Bp Grit, and Swasari Pravahi. 

The Supreme Court bench constituting Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah heard the matter related to the apology published by Baba Ramdev and Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurved Acharya Balkrishna on April 30 (yesterday). An e-copy of the public apology was presented before the top court, and the bench remarked “This is not compliance. I am raising my hands in this case; enough of this non-compliance of our orders.” It further granted one more opportunity to Patanjali to submit an original page of each newspaper in which the public apology was issued. The SC also noted that “There has been a marked improvement. "There was only Patanjali earlier, now there are names. We appreciate that. They have understood.” While listing the matter for hearing on May 07, the bench granted exemption from appearing in person in the court to Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishan. 

In context with the affidavit filed by the Uttarakhand licensing authority, the SC bench on April 30 remarked, “This shows that once you want to do something, you do it with lightning speed, but if you don't, then for years nothing moves. In three days, you have taken all action. What were you doing for the past nine months since taking over? Finally, you realize that you have power and responsibilities. You have finally woken up from sleep.”