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File image of Yoga guru Baba Ramdev. ptiPTI Photo by Ashok Bhaumik(PTI12_3_2016_000157B)
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 Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a week to Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Balkrishna Balkrishna Acharya to take steps to rectify the alleged contempt, after their lawyers offered 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 comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah.
The next hearing is scheduled for April 23, and the apex court has directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to be present in court again.
During the hearing, the court asked Patanjali founders, who were both present, to come forward for an interaction with the bench.
“They should feel they have a connect with the court,” the bench said.
During the previous hearing last week, the Supreme Court strongly criticised Patanjali founders and rejected their affidavits offering “unconditional apologies” for publishing “misleading” advertisements. The apology was issued in response to the contempt of court notices issued by the court in the case where they had been sued by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
Furthermore, the court rebuked the State Licensing Authority for its lack of action on the matter and emphasised that it would not take the issue lightly.
In an unusually stern reprimand, the bench warned, “We will rip you apart. Do you have the guts to do what you are doing? You are acting as a post office,” the bench said in an unusually stern reprimand.”
The top court also criticised the Uttarakhand government for its failure to take action against Patanjali Ayurved for violating the law.
Earlier, on March 19, the court had summoned Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before it due to the company’s failure to respond to notices regarding the advertisements of the firm’s products and their medicinal efficacy. The top court deemed it appropriate to issue Ramdev a show cause notice, as the advertisements issued by Patanjali contradicted the undertaking given to the court on November 21, 2023, suggesting endorsement by him.
(With agencies inputs)
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