Big Relief for Ramdev As Supreme Court Closes Patanjali Ads Contempt Case

New Delhi: In a big relief to Baba Ramdev, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the closure of Patanjali ads contempt case. The apex court accepted yoga guru Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna's undertakings to stop issuing misleading ads and other claims regarding Patanjali products.

Earlier on May 14, the apex court had reserved its order on the contempt notice. The apex court was hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleging a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine.

In its November 21, 2023 order, the top court had observed that the counsel representing Patanjali Ayurved had assured it that "henceforth there shall not be any violation of any law(s), especially relating to advertising or branding of products manufactured and marketed by it and, further, that no casual statements claiming medicinal efficacy or against any system of medicine will be released to the media in any form". 

The SC had said Patanjali Ayurved Ltd is "bound down to such assurance". Non-adherence to the specific assurance and subsequent media statements by the firm had irked the apex court, which later issued notice to them to show cause as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them. 

(With PTI inputs)