In a development related to the misleading advertisements case against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, Yoga guru Ramdev and managing director Balkrishna have issued an unqualified apology in newspapers. The Supreme Court, comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, instructed the counsel representing Ramdev and Balkrishna to submit the apology, published in various newspapers, on record within two days.
Counsel for Ramdev and Balkrishna informed the bench that additional advertisements would be published to express their sincere apologies for the lapses on their part. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the duo, stated that the apology had already been published in 67 newspapers nationwide on Monday. The bench scheduled the next hearing for April 30.
Previously, on April 16, the apex court had strongly cautioned Ramdev and Balkrishna against any attempts to undermine allopathy. The court had allowed them to tender a public apology within a week in the contempt proceedings related to the misleading advertisements case against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. However, the court emphasized that it was not absolving them from responsibility.
The Supreme Court is currently hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 2022, which alleges a smear campaign against the COVID-19 vaccination drive and modern medicine systems.
