Misleading Patanjali ads case: Supreme Court refuses Baba Ramdev's unconditional apology, asks to file a fresh affidavit

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to accept Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna unconditional apology in the contempt proceedings related to the misleading advertisements case and asked them to file a fresh affidavit.

A bench comprising Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah came down heavily on Baba Ramdev for violating its directives on misleading advertisements of Patanjali's medicinal products even though the yoga guru, who was present in court, tendered an unconditional apology.

The Bench said that it has to initiate a case of perjury against them (Ramdev and Balkrishna) as they filed incomplete documents in the court. The documents said to be attached with the petition containing the affidavits were created later on which is a clear case of perjury, the bench remarked.

The bench directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to file fresh affidavits within a week.

The court fixed April 10 as the next date of hearing and directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to be personally present before the court then.

Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna were earlier directed by the bench to appear in person before them to explain as to why misleading advertisements were being published claiming medical cures.

In November 2023, the Supreme Court directed Patanjali Ayurved to stop misleading claims and advertisements against the modern system of medicine.

Patanjali had assured the court that it would not make any statements or unsubstantiated claims. Despite the undertakings given by the Ayuruveda Company the advertisements continued to be seen.