Patanjali and founders cleared of contempt charges by Supreme Court
Apology Accepted, Stern Warning Issued
The Supreme Court of India has closed the contempt proceedings against Patanjali Ltd, its Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna, and co-founder Baba Ramdev. The case was related to the publication of misleading medical advertisements, which violated a former court undertaking. Background of the Case
- The contempt case arose out of a solicitation filed by the Indian Medical Association against Patanjali’s advertisements attacking allopathy and making claims about curing certain conditions.
- Despite assurances to chorus from similar announcements, Patanjali continued to publish misleading advertisements, leading to contempt notices being issued in February.
Proceedings and Justifications
- Acharya Balkrishna and Baba Ramdev were ordered to appear tête-à-tête before the Court in March, after they failed to file a reply to the contempt notice.
- In their affidavits, they apologized for the announcements, stating that they were meant to contain general statements but inadvertently included offending rulings.
- The Court rejected their original justifications, thinking them unqualified and unconditional.
Unconditional Apology and Revised Apology Publication
- On April 16, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna tête-à-tête appeared before the Court and expressed unconditional apologies for publishing misleading announcements and making commentary against Allopathic drugs.
- The Court also expressed dissatisfaction with the original apology published by Patanjali in journals, leading to a revised apology being published on April 30.
Judgment and Warning
- A bench comprising judges Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah delivered the judgment, accepting the apology proffered by the parties and taking into account the steps taken by them to purify themselves of contempt.
- However, the Court sternly advised that if Patanjali violates court orders in the future, the proceedings will be restarted.
Conclusion
- The Supreme Court’s decision serves as a reminder to companies and individuals to adhere to court orders and take responsibility.
- The stern warning issued by the Court ensures that Patanjali and its authors will be held responsible for any future violations.
- The case highlights the significance of compliance with court orders and responsible advertising practices.
FAQ
Q1: What was the contempt case against Patanjali Ltd about?
The case was related to the publication of misleading medical advertisements by Patanjali, violating a former court undertaking. Q2: Who were the individuals involved in the case?
The individuals involved were Acharya Balkrishna, Managing Director of Patanjali, and Baba Ramdev, co-founder of Patanjali. Q3: What was the outcome of the case?
The Supreme Court of India closed the contempt proceedings against Patanjali, its Managing Director, and co-founder, accepting their unconditional apologies. Q4: What actions did Patanjali take to rectify the situation?
Patanjali published a revised apology in journals and expressed unconditional apologies before the Court. Q5: What was the Court’s warning to Patanjali?
The Court sternly warned that if Patanjali violates court orders in the future, the proceedings will be restarted. Q6: What is the significance of this case?
The case highlights the importance of compliance with court orders and responsible advertising practices.
