The Supreme Court of India has dealt a significant blow to Patanjali Ayurved, a leading Indian company known for its Ayurvedic products. On February 27, 2024, the court issued a contempt notice to Patanjali and its managing director, Acharya Balkrishna, for blatantly disregarding a previous court order prohibiting misleading advertisements for their products.
This action signifies an escalation in the ongoing legal battle between Patanjali and the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The court, deeply concerned about the potential public health implications, went beyond issuing a mere warning. They imposed a temporary advertising ban on Patanjali’s medicinal products, effectively restricting them from promoting these items until further notice.
Justice Amanullah, presiding over the case, delivered a clear message: “Misleading advertisements cannot be tolerated at all.” This statement underscores the court’s unwavering commitment to protecting consumers from deceptive marketing practices.
The IMA, in its plea, specifically challenged Patanjali’s marketing tactics, which allegedly made exaggerated claims about their products’ ability to offer a “complete cure” for certain medical conditions like diabetes and asthma, solely through yoga practices.
This isn’t the first time Patanjali has faced scrutiny for its advertising practices. In November 2023, the Supreme Court issued a stern warning to the company, highlighting the potential consequences of misleading advertisements, including substantial financial penalties if they continued down the same path.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Ramdev, the co-founder of Patanjali, is currently embroiled in a separate legal battle with the IMA. He faces legal charges stemming from his “controversial” comments made during the COVID-19 pandemic, which the IMA claims were misleading and potentially harmful to public health.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for this case on March 15, 2024. This ongoing legal battle serves as a stark reminder to businesses of the importance of adhering to responsible advertising practices and the potential legal and reputational consequences of violating established regulations and consumer trust.
