The Supreme Court on Tuesday scrutinised Patanjali Ayurved’s apology, printed in newspapers, in response to the misleading ads case, questioning whether it was comparable in size and prominence to the company’s earlier advertisements.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Patanjali founders Ramdev and Balkrishna, informed the court that a fresh set of apologies had been submitted. However, the bench expressed dissatisfaction with the timing of the apologies, noting that they should have been filed earlier.
The court raised concerns about the adequacy of the apology’s publication, particularly in comparison to the company’s previous advertisements. When Rohatgi mentioned the significant cost, Rs 10 lakh, incurred for publishing the apology in 67 newspapers, the court emphasised that the monetary aspect was not their primary concern.
“Has the apology been published prominently? Same font and size as your earlier advertisements?” the NDTV quoted Justice Hima Kohli as saying.
When Rohatgi said the company had spent lakhs, the court replied, “We are not bothered.”
Additionally, the court addressed an application seeking a hefty fine of Rs 1,000 crore against the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for its involvement in the case against Patanjali. The bench expressed suspicion regarding the motive behind the application, suggesting it might be a proxy plea.
In response to the court’s scrutiny, Ramdev stated that a larger apology would be published in newspapers, prompting the Supreme Court to adjourn the matter for a week.
This development follows the ongoing legal battle between Patanjali Ayurved and the Supreme Court over misleading advertisements. The court has previously rejected apologies from Ramdev and Balkrishna, deeming them insincere. The latest apology from Patanjali emphasized the company’s respect for the court and its commitment to rectify past mistakes.
The case stems from Patanjali’s claims regarding its product Coronil during the COVID-19 pandemic, which drew criticism from the medical community, particularly the Indian Medical Association.
The court has repeatedly warned Patanjali against making false claims and spreading misinformation through its advertisements. Despite assurances from Patanjali’s counsel, the company’s alleged violations have led to contempt proceedings and heavy scrutiny from the judiciary.
As the legal battle continues, the Supreme Court remains vigilant in upholding accountability and ensuring compliance with its directives regarding misleading advertisements and product claims.
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