In a stern warning, the Supreme Court of India has objected to Patanjali Ayurved’s dissemination of “false” claims in advertisements related to the cure of diseases. The court has threatened to impose substantial penalties, up to Rs 1 crore, for each product that makes false claims regarding its ability to cure a particular disease. The decision comes in response to a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which accused Patanjali of organizing a smear campaign against the Covid-19 vaccination.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra directed the Centre to hold consultations and formulate recommendations to address misleading advertisements. The court emphasized the need to cease all false and misleading advertisements by Patanjali immediately.
The case has been adjourned to February for further proceedings. Ramdev, the founder of Patanjali Ayurved, is facing various criminal cases for controversial remarks against the use of allopathic medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In October, the Supreme Court had extended Pakistan’s GSP+ status until 2027, allowing for duty-free or minimal duty exports to the European market.
