DELHI: Yoga guru Ramdev on Tuesday appeared before the Supreme Court and tendered an unconditional apology for violating order related to misleading advertisements of Patanjali's medicinal products.
The apex court criticized Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved's managing director, Acharya Balkrishna, for their “absolute defiance” in not submitting proper compliance affidavits.
The court also expressed disapproval of Balkrishna's comment deeming the Drugs and Cosmetics (Magic Remedies) Act as outdated.
Here's what Supreme Court said:
“Not just the Supreme Court, every order passed by the courts across this country has to be respected ... this is absolute defiance,” a bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said.
“You have to abide by undertaking given to court and you have broken every barrier,” the bench told Ramdev and the Patanjali MD, who were present in person.
"We can also say that we are sorry for not accepting it. Your apology is not persuading this court. It is more of a lip service", justice Hima Kohli said.
The top court wondered as to why the Centre “chose to keep its eyes shut when Patanjali was going to town saying there were no remedy for Covid in allopathy”.
It further questioned Ayush ministry for not submitting Patanjali's reply after the ministry had issued notice to it regarding Covid medicines in 2022. "We have questions for AYUSH. You issued notice to patanjali and they filed a reply and reply is not before us and we are wondering why. Covid was in 2022 and you had yourself stated that these were at best supplement to the main medicine," it said.
The bench granted last opportunity to Ramdev and Balkrishna to file their affidavits in the matter in one week.
While posting the matter for further hearing on April 10, the bench directed that both of them shall remain present before it on the next date.
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