SC Reserves Order on Contempt Plea Against Baba Ramdev and Others in Patanjali Misleading Ads Case”

The Supreme Court of India (SC) has reserved its order on a contempt plea against yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and others in the Patanjali misleading advertisements case. The apex court also granted Patanjali time to file affidavits indicating the steps taken to recall ads of products whose licenses have been suspended and for recalling medicines.

During the hearing, the bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah exempted Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna from personal appearance in the case. The court emphasized the importance of well-informed choices by the public and urged Baba Ramdev to use his influence in the right manner.

Patanjali has been directed to submit an affidavit within three weeks detailing the actions taken to remove existing misleading ads of the company’s products and to recall those products whose licenses have been suspended.

This development comes after the SC’s recent observation that celebrities and social media influencers are equally responsible for the products they endorse, and if found misleading, they could be held liable. The court also criticized the Indian Medical Association (IMA) president RV Asokan for targeting the apex court in an interview with a news agency.

Patanjali filed an application urging the court to take judicial notice of the comments made by the IMA president, terming them as “wanton and unwarranted.” The proceedings underscore the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in advertising practices, especially in cases involving influential public figures and companies.

The outcome of this case will likely have significant implications for the regulation of advertising and endorsement practices in India, reinforcing the responsibility of celebrities and corporations to uphold consumer trust and protect public interest.

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