Dabur Challenges Patanjali Over Alleged Misleading Ads In Chyawanprash Dispute

In a hearing on the petition filed by Dabur against Patanjali Ayurveda, Dabur has completed presenting its arguments. The Delhi High Court, led by Justice Mini Pushkarna, is hearing the case, with Patanjali scheduled to present its side on January 27.

Dabur’s Allegations Against Patanjali

During the proceedings, Dabur’s lawyer argued that Patanjali’s Chyawanprash contains mercury, which, according to Dabur, is harmful, especially for children.

Dabur also pointed out that Patanjali has failed to provide a legal disclaimer regarding the presence of mercury in its product. It also filed the petition, alleging that Patanjali has been running misleading advertisements targeting Dabur’s Chyawanprash.

Dabur Seeks Court Order to Halt Derogatory Ads

Dabur has requested the Delhi High Court to order Patanjali to immediately stop broadcasting or publishing derogatory advertisements against its products. The petition claims that Patanjali’s advertisements mislead consumers into believing that only Patanjali’s Chyawanprash adheres to the traditional formulations of ancient Ayurvedic texts.

Court’s Response to Dabur’s Petition

When Dabur initially filed its petition, the Delhi High Court considered referring the matter for mediation. However, after Dabur insisted on urgent relief, the court decided to hear the case directly.

Senior advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Dabur, described Patanjali Ayurveda as a “habitual offender” in misleading advertising. Sibal also referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling in a contempt petition filed against Patanjali, which led to Patanjali, Baba Ramdev, and Acharya Balkrishna issuing written apologies published in newspapers.

Sibal emphasized that all Chyawanprash products should adhere to the specific formulations and ingredients outlined in ancient Ayurvedic texts, claiming that Patanjali’s advertisements mislead consumers and harm competitors like Dabur, which holds a 61.6 percent market share in the segment.

At the heart of the dispute is an advertisement featuring Patanjali Ayurveda founder Baba Ramdev. In the ad, Ramdev asserts that only Patanjali’s Chyawanprash is the “original” and that other manufacturers lack knowledge of traditional Ayurvedic formulations. Dabur has objected to this claim, arguing that it unfairly disparages other Chyawanprash products.

Previous Court Orders Against Patanjali

This isn’t the first time Patanjali has faced legal challenges over its advertising. In 2017, the Delhi High Court banned Patanjali Ayurveda from broadcasting or publishing any advertisements for its Chyawanprash products, citing misleading claims.

With Dabur’s arguments now concluded, the next phase of the hearing will see Patanjali Ayurveda defending its position. The Delhi High Court’s decision will likely have significant implications for advertising practices in the Indian consumer goods market.

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