New Delhi: In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has summoned Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, Managing Director of Patanjali Ayurveda, to appear in person in response to allegations of contempt of court. The apex court’s decision comes after the duo reportedly failed to address a show-cause notice concerning potentially misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurveda.
The controversy centers on Patanjali’s advertisements, which purportedly claim “permanent relief” from various diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, asthma, glaucoma, and arthritis. The Supreme Court has taken a stringent view of the matter, suggesting that prima facie, both Ramdev and Balkrishna have transgressed legal boundaries.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, March 19, the court expressed its concern over the lack of response to the contempt notice and questioned why further action should not be taken under contempt of court laws. The next session for this case is scheduled to occur in two weeks when both individuals have been ordered to present themselves.
Previously, the court had issued a show-cause notice to Patanjali and Balkrishna, inquiring why contempt proceedings should not be initiated. Additionally, the Supreme Court had instructed the Central Government to clarify the measures taken against Patanjali regarding the contentious advertisement.
This case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of Patanjali’s promotional practices and the broader implications for advertising standards in the medical and health sectors. The outcome of the subsequent hearings could set a precedent for how traditional Ayurvedic claims are represented and regulated in the public domain.
