19 March 2024 – The Supreme Court has taken a stern stance against misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurveda, issuing a showcause notice to Baba Ramdev and directing him to appear before the court. The notice comes in response to allegations of contempt proceedings for deceptive advertising practices.
Expressing dissatisfaction with Patanjali and its Managing Director Acharya Balakrishnan for failing to submit a response on the contempt proceedings, the Supreme Court emphasized that consequences would ensue. The court directed both Baba Ramdev and Balakrishnan to appear before it and address the allegations regarding the advertising of Patanjali’s products and their purported medicinal efficacy.
This action follows a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which accused Ramdev of spearheading a smear campaign against the vaccination drive and modern medicines. The apex court has been critical of Patanjali’s advertising practices in the past, particularly in November 2023, when it objected to the company’s dissemination of false claims about curing diseases through its products.
During that hearing, the Supreme Court warned Patanjali against making false and misleading advertisements, emphasizing the gravity of such infractions. The court threatened to impose significant costs, potentially up to Rs 1 crore, on every product associated with deceptive claims of curing specific diseases.
The Supreme Court’s decisive action underscores the importance of truthfulness and transparency in advertising, particularly in the context of healthcare products. It sends a clear message that misleading advertisements will not be tolerated and that companies must adhere to strict standards to protect consumers’ interests.
