SC Reserves Order in Patanjali Case, Also Grills IMA Chief Asokan

Moneylife Digital Team 14 May 2024

Economy & Nation

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday reserved its verdict in the contempt of court case filed against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and its owners, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna over the company's misleading advertisements. The SC also asked Patanjali if it had stopped selling products whose licences had been cancelled. While refusing to accept the unconditional apology tendered by RV Asokan, the apex court also grilled the president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over his statements against the SC.

A bench of justice Hima Kohli and justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah dispensed with the personal appearance of Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna after their counsel submitted that an affidavit would be filed detailing the steps taken to pull down existing misleading ads of Patanjali products.

"We will dispense with their presence...we will be reserving orders. File your affidavit, it will make a difference," the bench told senior counsel Balbir Singh, appearing for Patanjali, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna.

It says, "Public is cognisant if they have choices they make well-informed choices...Baba Ramdev has a lot of influence, use it in the right way."

When solicitor general Tushar Mehta told the bench that Baba Ramdev has done a lot of good for yoga, justice Kohli replied, "What has been done for yoga is good, but Patanjali products is another matter."

Mr Singh informed the bench that Patanjali had stopped the sale of these products. "Is it also correct that your stockists have stopped storing them and selling them?" a bench asked, adding, "You need to check it and give an affidavit."

Further, while refusing to accept his unconditional apology, the Supreme Court posed some tough questions to IMA president Mr Asokan over his 'damaging' statements against the apex court in an interview with PTI. In the interview, he answered queries about Patanjali Ayurved's misleading advertisements case.

"You cannot sit on a couch giving an interview to the press and lampooning the court," the bench told the IMA chief while making it clear that at this stage, the apex court will not accept his affidavit tendering apology.

"We are the first one to uphold the freedom of speech, the right of free speech and right of thought, but there are time when there has to be a self-restraint," justice Kohli observed, adding, "We did not see it in your interview, that is the point."

Comments

User

iaminprabhu

10 months ago

Patanjali HAS NOT RECALLED from MARKET the 14 products whose licenses have been cancelled by UK Authorities!

They are available at RETAIL for Sale through Stokists! SC should ask PATANJALI to show DOCX to prove RECALL from Stockists & Retail (will get exposed immediately)