SC seeks response of IMA, Centre, 2 states over Ramdev's alleged remarks on Allopathy

Supreme Court Monday sought response of Centre, Bihar and Chhattisgarh on yoga exponent Ramdev's petition seeking a stay on proceedings in multiple FIRs lodged over his alleged remarks against use of allopathic medicines during Covid pandemic.

A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, which also issued notice to Indian Medical Association (IMA), sought ir responses within four weeks.

Senior vocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Ramdev, said he h me a statement in 2021 that he does not believe in allopathic medicines to which some doctors took offence and lodged multiple cases against him.

bench said, "Do you want us to quash FIRs or consolidate m? You cannot have both. If you want to quash, n remedy lies in a different forum." Dave referred to various verdicts of apex court and said when multiple criminal proceedings are initiated from same statement, a petition can be filed in top court urging it to club FIRs.

" statement is one, but people in different states have taken offence to it. re is one FIR in Patna, or one is in Chhattisgarh. re are various or complaints me by various doctors and associations in or places. It would be difficult to approach different high courts," he said.

Dave contended that Ramdev's comment does not amount to any criminal offence and that he apologised very next day.

Senior vocate PS Patwalia, appearing for IMA, said no case is pending in Delhi but petitioner (Ramdev) has sought clubbing toger and transferring FIRs lodged in Patna and Raipur to New Delhi.

He said during pandemic Ramdev came out with a medicine called 'Coronil' and claimed it can cure COVID-19.

Dave said IMA is jumping gun and appearing without any formal notice in matter. He ded no state has recorded its appearance in matter.

bench n asked all respondents including Centre, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and IMA to file ir replies.

As an interim relief, Ramdev has sought a stay on investigation on criminal complaints.

IMA has lodged complaints in Bihar and Chhattisgarh over Ramdev's remarks against use of allopathic medicines during pandemic.

Patna and Raipur chapters of IMA have lodged complaints alleging his remarks are likely to cause prejudice to Covid control mechanism and may dissue people from availing proper treatment.

yoga guru has been booked under various provisions of Indian Penal Code and Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Ramdev, whose statements stirred a nationwide debate on Allopathy versus Ayurveda h, however, withdrawn m after receiving a letter from n Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who h called his remarks "inappropriate".

Delhi Medical Association (DMA), meanwhile, has sought permission to become a party to case, alleging that Ramdev insulted Allopathy and "instigated" people to disregard vaccines and treatment protocols.

DMA, having 15,000 doctors as members, has claimed that Ramdev's Patanjali earned over Rs 1,000 crore by selling Coronil kits which were not approved by competent authority.