New Delhi: Acharya Balkrishna, on behalf of Patanjali Ayurved, has filed an affidavit in Supreme Court offering unconditional apology in connection with misleading advertisements, claiming permanent cure for several diseases. The apex court had directed both Baba Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in person in court on April 2 for not responding to contempt notice.
The affidavit, filed by Balkrishna, said: “The deponent on behalf of respondent no. 5 (Patanjali Ayurved) submits an unconditional apology before this court….the deponent will ensure that such advertisements are not issued in future”.
Balkrishna contended that company’s intention was only to exhort citizens of the country to lead a healthier life by consuming products of Patanjali Ayurved, including products for lifestyle ailments through use of age-old literature and materials supplementing and backed by ayurvedic research.
“The deponent humbly submits that the Schedule J of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 read with Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act , 1955 is in an archaic state and the last changes were introduced in 1966 by the Union of India…”, said the affidavit.
Balkrishna said that Patanjali Ayurved now possesses evidence-based scientific data with clinical research conducted in Ayurveda, which would demonstrate the advances made through scientific research in the context of diseases. “Deponent’s only quest is for a better and healthier life for each and every citizen and to reduce the burden on the country’s healthcare infrastructure by providing holistic, evidence based solutions for lifestyle related medical complications though the usage of age-old traditional approach of ayurveda and yoga”, said the affidavit.
The apex court, in its order passed on March 19, had said, "Further, having gone through the advertisements issued by the respondent No.5 (Patanjali) in the teeth of the undertaking given to this Court on 21st November, 2023 and on noticing that the said advertisements reflect an endorsement thereof by Baba Ramdev, it is deemed appropriate to issue notice to show cause as to why the contempt proceedings be not initiated against him as this Court is prima facie of the opinion that he too has violated the provisions of Section 3 and 4 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 read with Rule 6 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Rules, 1955".
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sought personal presence of Baba Ramdev in court for failing to file a response to show cause notice in contempt proceedings against him over misleading advertisements of Patanjali Ayurved, which claimed permanent cure for several diseases. The apex court said it is only a notice to show cause and it is nothing personal.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Patanjali Ayurved, submitted before a bench comprising justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah that no reason is being given why his client is being called, although nothing has changed since the last court hearing in February. Rohatgi said the apex court is not being fair in summoning Ramdev even though he holds no position in Patanjali.