SC refuses to accept Ramdev, Patanjali’s apology again, raps Uttarakhand for not taking action against ads

Supreme Court rejects apology from Patanjali co-founders for violating medical product advertising ban, questioning sincerity and accountability.

The Supreme Court has refused to accept the unconditional apology from Patanjali co-founder Baba Ramdev and managing director Acharya Balkrishna for advertising medical products in violation of giving an undertaking in the apex court in November 2023 prohibiting the self-styled yoga guru.

The Supreme Court on February 27 had issued contempt notice against Patanjali Ayurved and Mr. Balkrishna. Both Mr. Ramdev and Mr. Balkrishna were in court today.

Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi that Mr. Ramdev has apologised only after being caught on the back foot. His violations of the undertaking to the court was deliberate and willful, they said.

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Justice Amanullah said Mr. Ramdev violated the undertaking twice, once by holding a press conference the very next day after Patanjali gave an undertaking and later even when the contempt was being heard.

“It was only they were summoned to appear in the court, when the writing was plain on the wall. They relented,” Justice Amanullah said.

The Bench turned its ire on the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for “twiddling their thumbs” and doing nothing to prevent the publications and advertisements.