Supreme Court Orders IMA President To Publish Apology Over Patanjali Ad Controversy

In the contempt case related to Patanjali’s misleading advertisement, the Supreme Court ordered IMA President Dr. RV Ashokan to publish an apology in major newspapers at his own expense. The court insisted Dr. Ashokan apologize for criticizing the Supreme Court. A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Sandeep Mehta heard the case. The court scheduled the next hearing for August 27. The court specified that Dr. Ashokan must publish the apology in all newspapers that featured his interview, using his own funds, not IMA’s.

During the hearing, senior advocate PS Patwalia, representing IMA, informed the court that the apology was already published in media outlets, on IMA’s website, and in IMA’s monthly magazine. Previously, the Supreme Court suggested the central government publicize complaints against misleading medicine advertisements. The court asked the Ministry of AYUSH to create a dashboard to monitor interstate consumer complaints and ensure prior approval of advertisements to prevent misbranding. The court emphasized the need to streamline consumer complaints about healthcare products. Additionally, the Supreme Court directed the Uttarakhand government to decide on the suspension of 14 Patanjali products within two weeks. The Uttarakhand Licensing Authority had already suspended the manufacturing license of 14 Patanjali Ayurveda Limited and Divya Pharmacy products.

The Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to yoga guru Baba Ramdev, his associate Acharya Balkrishna, and Patanjali Ayurveda Limited in the misleading advertisement case. Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna apologized.

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