Patanjali ads case: MD Acharya Balakrishna issues ‘unconditional apology’ to SC

Baba Ramdev-owned Patanjali Ayurved on Thursday issued an “unconditional apology” to the Supreme Court for the company’s misleading advertisements, two days after the top court summoned Ramdev and company’s MD Acharya Balakrishna, according to media reports.

The duo had earlier failed to reply to a show cause notice issued in the contempt proceedings against Patanjali for its “misleading ads” targeting evidence-based medicines.

In an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, Balkrishna assured that such advertisements would not be released in the future emphasizing  the company's sole intention was to encourage citizens to adopt a healthier lifestyle by using products from Patanjali Ayurved, reported Business Standard.

“The deponent regrets that the advertisement in question, which was meant to contain only general statements, inadvertently included the offending sentences...The deponent on behalf of respondent (Patanjali Ayurved) submits an unqualified apology before this Court for the breach of the statement recorded in the order of November 21, 2023. The deponent will ensure such advertisements are not issued in future," Moneycontrol quoted the affidavit.

However, the affidavit maintained that Patanajali Ayurved products were backed by scientific research that were not available during the enactment of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. 

In the affidavit, Balakrishna also stated that Patanjali Ayurved products and Ayurveda itself were backed by knowledge in ancient literature.

Expressing utmost respect for the rule of law, Balakrishna, in the affidavit committed to abide by it and assured that Patanjali would abstain from running misleading ads.

The company stated that its media division was unaware of any court proceedings prohibiting such advertisements.

On March 19, a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah took strong exception to the failure of Balkrishna and the company in filing replies to the court's notices issued to them earlier to show why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them for prima facie violating the undertaking given to the court.

Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) filed a plea accusing Patanjali and its founder Baba Ramdev of conducting a smear campaign against the Covid-19 vaccination drive and modern medicine.

In November 2023, the top court had warned Patanjali of heavy fines of up to Rs 1 crore for false claims made in its advertisements promoting products claiming to treat medical conditions such as BP, diabetes, fevers, epilepsy, and lupus.

The affidavit was filed in response to the plea filed by the IMA.