Supreme Court Refuses Ramdev’s Apology, Raps Uttarakhand Officials

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has rejected the unconditional apology tendered by Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali for violating a court undertaking regarding medical product advertisements. Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah criticized Ramdev’s apology, stating it was made only after being caught and that his violations were deliberate and willful. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the apology and set the contempt case for April 16.

Additionally, it directed State Licensing Authority officers to explain their inaction against Patanjali under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act. The bench admonished the Uttarakhand officials for their laxity and described the conduct of the proposed contemnors as hubris to abject surrender. It also instructed District Ayurvedic and Unani Officers to provide affidavits detailing their inaction against Patanjali during their tenure.