SC gives penitent Ramdev seven days to make amends

In a recent development, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna appeared in an open court on Tuesday to apologize for violating a Supreme Court order. They were given a week to prove their sincerity by a Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi assured the court that they would take steps to redeem themselves.

The court questioned Ramdev about advertising herbal medicines despite recommendations for an investigation under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. The judges criticized the deliberate violations by Patanjali Ayurved’s advertisements during the pandemic. Ramdev was also questioned for holding a press conference after pledging to refrain from such advertising.

Acknowledging his fault, Ramdev apologized to the Supreme Court, promising to be more prudent in the future. His associate Balkrishna also expressed regret for their actions. Justice Amanullah emphasized the importance of upholding the law regardless of who is involved.

In a previous hearing, the Supreme Court expressed concerns about FMCG companies like Patanjali misleading the public. The court refused a second apology from Ramdev and highlighted the government’s failure to regulate such companies. Justice Hima Kohli stated that the public is often the victim in such situations.

Overall, the court has given Ramdev and Balkrishna a week to take remedial actions and prove their sincerity in adhering to the law. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and responsibility in advertising practices.