TNR Desk
Ramdev and Balkrishna, co-founders of Patanjali Ayurved, appeared before the Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 13, 2024) in response to contempt of court proceedings initiated against them for the publication of “misleading” advertisements.
The duo informed a bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah that they had issued an apology in newspapers to address the lapses on their part. The Supreme Court reportedly questioned the timing of the apology’s publication and inquired whether its size was commensurate with the misleading advertisements previously published in newspapers.
The bench instructed their counsel to submit the published apology in newspapers within two days. Additionally, Ramdev and Balkrishna’s representatives assured the bench that they would issue further advertisements tendering an unqualified apology for their errors.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the duo, informed the top court that they had published the apology in 67 newspapers nationwide on Monday. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on April 30.
During the previous hearing on April 16, Ramdev and Balkrishna personally offered unconditional apologies with folded hands to the Supreme Court. However, the court emphasised that they were still under scrutiny, despite considering their apologies. The case, filed in 2022 by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), alleges a smear campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine.
