“We Will Rip You Apart” , Supreme Court Slams Patanjali Founders for Misleading Ads, Questions Authorities’ Inaction

Supreme Court Slams Patanjali Founders for Misleading Ads, Questions Authorities’ Inaction

In a stern rebuke, the Supreme Court has rejected another round of apologies from Patanjali founders Ramdev and Balkrishna for their company’s misleading advertisements, asserting that it “does not want to be generous” in this matter. The court criticized the Uttarakhand licensing authority for failing to act against Patanjali despite repeated violations and expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre’s response.

The bench, comprising Justice Hima Kohli and Justice A Amanullah, condemned the founders for their insincere apologies, stating, “The apology is on paper. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking.” It noted the founders’ lack of sincerity, highlighting that the apologies were initially sent to the media before reaching the court.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the Patanjali founders, faced scrutiny as he presented the apologies, with the court accusing him of attempting to deceive with the drafted affidavits. Justice Amanullah questioned the authenticity of the apologies, prompting Rohatgi to acknowledge a “lapse” in the process.

However, the court remained unconvinced, emphasizing that tendering an apology was insufficient given the gravity of the violations. It stressed the need for accountability, stating, “Tendering apology is not enough. You should suffer the consequences for violating the court’s order.”

Turning its attention to the Uttarakhand government, the court criticized the licensing authority for its inaction and demanded immediate suspension of three officers. It lambasted the authority for its leniency towards Patanjali, accusing it of being “in cahoots” with the contemnors.

The court also reprimanded the state counsel, questioning their complicity with Patanjali and admonishing them for neglecting public welfare. It urged the authorities to take decisive action against Patanjali and ensure compliance with existing statutes.

Furthermore, the court expressed concern over the impact of Patanjali’s misleading advertisements on consumers’ health, highlighting the need for accountability from district ayurvedic and unani officers. It set a deadline of April 16 for further actions against Ramdev and Balkrishna.

The court’s scathing remarks underscore the importance of upholding truthfulness and accountability in advertising, sending a strong message to both corporations and regulatory authorities alike.

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