The Supreme Court has closed the contempt case against yoga guru Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna, accepting their undertakings to cease issuing misleading advertisements for Patanjali Ayurved products. The case, initiated by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 2022, accused Patanjali of promoting miracle cures for lifestyle disorders, violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1954.
The IMA’s petition highlighted that Patanjali’s ads disparaged modern medicine, making unverified health claims that misled the public. Despite earlier promises from Patanjali to stop such ads, the company continued to publish them, prompting the Supreme Court to issue contempt notices against Ramdev and Balakrishna.
However, in the latest hearing, Ramdev and Balakrishna provided fresh undertakings to the court, assuring that no further misleading advertisements would be issued. Satisfied with these commitments, the Supreme Court decided to close the contempt case.
This ruling brings relief to Ramdev and Balakrishna, as they avoid further legal action, but it also underscores the court’s expectation that Patanjali will adhere strictly to advertising regulations moving forward. The closure of this case serves as a significant reminder of the legal responsibilities companies have in advertising, particularly when it comes to health-related claims.
As Patanjali continues to be a major player in the Indian wellness industry, this outcome will likely influence how it navigates future promotional strategies, ensuring compliance with the law while maintaining public trust.
