SC chides 'Patanjali' for making false claims and misleading ads, warns of Rs 1 crore penalty on every product

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has reprimanded yoga guru Baba Ramdev and asked him to withdraw the misleading advertisement of Patanjali's products. The court warned that a fine of Rs 1 crore per advertisement will be levied if such advertisements continue.

The company claims that its 'herbal products' can cure various ailments.

“This is blatant infraction of law what you (Patanjali) are doing. We will take it very seriously if you keep doing this and even impose cost to the extent of Rs 1 crore on every product.”, a bench headed by justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah said.

The Supreme Court was considering a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association seeking action against misleading advertisements discrediting doctors and doubting the efficacy of allopathic medicines.

The Supreme Court had sent a letter to the Union Health Ministry in August last year pointing out Baba Ramdev's remarks against vaccination and modern medicine. At that time, the court had directed that propaganda against modern medicine should not be carried out.

The Supreme Court had asked the counsel appearing for the central government in the court to suggest a solution for such misleading advertisements.