Patanjali advertisements case: SC grants one week to Ramdev, Balkrishna and Patanjali to issue public statement

Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Balkrishna told the Supreme Court they are willing to tender a public apology in the misleading advertisements case.

Yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Balkrishna on April 16 told the Supreme Court they are willing to tender a public apology in the misleading advertisements case.

"I am willing to give a public apology," senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev and Balkrishna, told a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah. Mr. Rohatgi says they propose to take steps unilaterally to redeem themselves and requests a week’s time for the same. The Supreme Court has posted the case for further hearing on April 23

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Ramdev and Balkrishna have tendered an "unconditional and unqualified apology" before the apex court over advertisements issued by the firm making tall claims about the medicinal efficacy of its products.

The apex court asked Ramdev and Balkrishna, both of whom were present in the court, to come forward for an interaction with the bench.

"They should feel they have a connect with the court," the bench said.

Justice Kohli questioned Baba Ramdev in open court, as the yoga guru said he offers an “unconditional apology” for holding press conference a day after an undertaking was given in SC to not advertise or publicise medicines in violation of Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. Justice Kohli tells Ramdev that it was irresponsible behaviour on his part to criticise other disciplines of medicine while claiming that his was superior to others. Ramdev went on to acknowledge that it was wrong on his part to do so.