The bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah is pulling up Patanjali for producing an e-copy of the advertisement instead of the original records”This shows that once you want to do something, you do it with lightning speed, but if you don’t, then for years nothing moves. In three days, you have taken all action. What have you been doing for the past nine months since taking over? Finally, you realize that you have power and responsibilities. You have finally woken up from sleep.”
NEW DELHI: Today, April 30th: The Supreme Court of India rebuked the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for its “inaction” in a case involving misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurveda. The court expressed disappointment with the authority’s attempts to downplay the matter and stated that it had tried to evade responsibility.
READ ALSO: Patanjali ads: Ramdev, Balkrishna tender unconditional apology before SC
A bench consisting of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah indicated that the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority (SLA) appeared to have taken action against Patanjali’s misleading advertisements only after the Supreme Court made strong observations.
The Court questioned,
The bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said.
“This is not compliance”. “I am raising my hands in this case; enough of this non-compliance of our orders,”
The court previously instructed Patanjali to issue a public apology, which the company initially provided in a smaller form. However, the court deemed it insufficient and required a more prominent apology equal to the size of the original advertisements. Patanjali subsequently published a larger apology in compliance with the court’s directive. The company also tendered an apology during the previous court hearing.
The court directed the company to re-issue the apology after finding the initial one insufficient.
“There has been a marked improvement.” “There was only Patanjali earlier, now there are names. We appreciate that. They have understood,”
Justice Amanullah said.
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The SLA, earlier this week, filed an affidavit apologizing for its previous inaction and revealed filing a criminal complaint against Patanjali Ayurved and its founders, Baba Ramdev, and Acharya Balkrishna, for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.
“Long and short, when you want to move, you move like lightning! And when you don’t want to, you don’t… In three days flat, you have done all that you needed to do! But you should have done all that much earlier,” remarked Justice Kohli.
Senior Advocate Dhruv Mehta, representing the SLA, elaborated on the actions taken and informed the Court about the authority’s communication with the Central Government’s AYUSH Ministry regarding the suspension of certain Patanjali products.
“Now he (the concerned authority) realizes his power. In one day, he realizes his power,” observed Justice Amanaullah.
Criticizing the delay in action, the court remarked,
“This shows that once you want to do something, you do it with lightning speed, but if you don’t, then for years nothing moves. In three days, you have taken all action. What have you been doing for the past nine months since taking over? Finally, you realize that you have power and responsibilities. You have finally woken up from sleep.”
Responding to the Licensing Authority’s claims of vigilance, the court questioned,
“You have tried to wash away everything. Is that being vigilant? We asked you to be careful.
Furthermore, the Uttarakhand Government suspended the manufacturing licenses of 14 Patanjali products, including items from Divya Pharmacy. The banned products include Drishti Eye Drop, Swasari Gold, Swasari Vati, Bronchom, Swasari Pravahi, Swasari Avaleh, Mukta Vati Extra Power, Lipidom, Bp Grit, Madhugrit, Madhunashini Vati Extra Power, Livamrit Advance, Livogrit, and Eyegrit Gold.
Both Baba Ramdev and Patanjali’s Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishan, have been granted exemption from appearing in person during the upcoming hearing in the Supreme Court, scheduled for May 7th.
