SC appreciates ‘marked improvement’ in public apology by Patanjali founder Ramdev

Tribune News Service

Satya Prakash

New Delhi, April 30

Appreciating a “marked improvement” in the unconditional public apology published in newspapers by Patanjali Ayurved co-founders Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna and the company, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted the duo exemption from personal appearance on the next date of hearing in the ‘misleading’ advertisement case.

“There has been a marked improvement from the last. Earlier, it was small and there was only Patanjali, no names, now names have come. Language is adequate. It’s a marked improvement. We appreciate that. Now, finally they (proposed contemnors) have understood that’s the benefit of an intelligent counsel assisting the court,” a Bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who represented the proposed contemnors.

The Bench gave another opportunity to them to comply with its order to file the original page of each newspaper in which the public apology was published and posted the matter for hearing on May 7.

Facing contempt of court proceedings for publication of ‘misleading’ advertisements, Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna had on April 16 tendered unconditional apologies in person with folded hands to the Supreme Court which had said they were “not off the hook”.

The top court had earlier noted that prima facie the company had violated the November 21, 2023 undertaking given to the top court. On April 10, the top court had refused to accept their “unconditional” apologies.

The Bench slammed the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for its failure to take action against Patanjali Ayurved for years. “It appears from affidavits that authorities got activated to take action only after court order of April 10,” the Bench said.

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