In a significant development, the Supreme Court has decided to drop the contempt charges against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, the prominent figures behind Patanjali Ayurved. This follows a February 2024 ruling where the Court had initially placed a temporary ban on misleading advertisements and issued contempt notices.
The charges were linked to a petition from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which criticized Patanjali for allegedly spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations and modern medicine. The division bench, led by Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, concluded the contempt proceedings after Patanjali’s founders offered apologies and corrective measures.
Baba Ramdev, who had made controversial statements during a November 2023 press conference, and Acharya Balkrishna, had both expressed regret and published public apologies. The Court has indicated a broader review of objectionable advertising practices and unethical behavior in the consumer goods and medical sectors, signaling a continued focus on maintaining ethical standards in these fields.
