Patanjali Misleading Ads Case: Apex Court Berates Uttarakhand Govt's Drug Licensing Authority

The apex court berated the Uttarakhand government's drug licencing authority today, questioning their inability to take appropriate action against Patanjali's misleading ads, specifically for Coronil - a preparation touted as a 'cure' for COVID-19.

Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah remained dissatisfied and upset by the insincere apologies of yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, managing director of Patanjali Ayurveda. Additionally, it roped in Dr Mithilesh Kumar, the Joint Director of the state's Food and Drug Administration, who begged for mercy. 

Dr Kumar explained that this happened before he joined the department, in June 2023. However, the bench was unwavering in its perspective. 

Court Detests Co-founders' Second Apology

Today morning, The Supreme Court also rejected another set of apologies by the two founders. The court stated that 'we are not blind' and that 'it does not want to be generous' in the brand's misleading advertisement case.

"The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of the undertaking," said the bench.

At the beginning of the proceedings, the bench noted that Ramdev and Balkrishna sent their apologies to the media first. "Till the matter hit the Court, the contemnors did not find it fit to send us the affidavits. They sent it to the media first, till 7.30 pm yesterday it was not uploaded for us. They believe in publicity clearly," Justice Kohli commented.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Patanjali founders, said he could not speak for the registry and that the apologies had been served.

For context, Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, managing director of Patanjali Ayurved, had submitted a new affidavit before the Supreme Court, offering an 'unconditional and unqualified apology' in response to their misleading advertisements case. 

The Supreme Court ruled on April 2 that Patanjali's advertisements were in violation of the law and Ramdev and Acharya were severely criticised for their actions. The court also noted that the medical advertising released by the Ramdev-led company is in the 'teeth of law'.The Supreme Court advised Ramdev to 'be ready for action', stating that the court would need to take contempt cases to the logical conclusion.