Delhi HC Seeks Patanjali’s Response Over Misleading Ads Against Dabur

Issuing a notice to Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda company the Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought a reply from the cmpany as it was addressing a petition by consumer goods giant, ‘Dabur’. 

Dabur had filed a petition in the High Court alleging that Patanjali was running misleading advertisements against Dabur’s Chyawanprash products.

Dabur has moved the Delhi High Court, seeking a ban on Patanjali’s alleged derogatory advertisements. The court, led by Justice Mini Pushkarna, will hear the case in the last week of January.

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Initially, the court suggested arbitration. However, Dabur insisted on immediate relief, prompting the court to agree to hear the matter. Senior advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Dabur, argued that Patanjali Ayurveda is a “habitual offender.” He cited a Supreme Court order from earlier this year, where Patanjali, Baba Ramdev, and Acharya Balkrishna issued public apologies in a contempt petition.

Dabur objected to a recent advertisement by Patanjali founder Swami Ramdev. In the ad, Ramdev questioned the authenticity of other Chyawanprash brands, claiming only Patanjali follows the ancient Ayurvedic traditions of Charak, Sushruta, and Chyawanrishi. Dabur argued this message misleads consumers and harms competitors.

Sibal emphasized that all Chyawanprash products must adhere to formulations in Ayurvedic texts. He added that Dabur, holding a 61.6% market share in the segment, is unfairly targeted by such claims.

In 2017, the Delhi High Court had already barred Patanjali from airing Chyawanprash advertisements. Dabur now seeks similar action against the latest ad.

The court will decide whether the advertisement violates fair competition and misrepresents rival products.