Supreme Court reprimands Ramdev again, refuses to apologize

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court today dismissed another set of apology offered by Patanjali founders Ramdev and Balkrishna over the company’s misleading advertisements, saying “we were not blind” and “it did not want to appear generous” in the case. The court blamed the Uttarakhand licensing authority for not taking action against Patanjali for so long and noted that it was not satisfied with the Centre’s reply on the matter.

“The apology was on paper. They had already fought against the odds. We refuse to accept that and we believe it was a willful breach of promise,” Justices Seema Kohli and Justice Amanullah said.

At the outset of the proceedings, the judge noted that Ramdev and Balkrishna first apologized to the media. “Until the matter came before the court, the opponents did not see fit to send us the affidavit. They first sent it to the media and only uploaded it for us at 7.30 pm last night. They clearly believed the propaganda,” Justice Kohli said.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Patanjali founder, said he could not speak on behalf of the registry and that an apology had been served.

As Justice Amanullah read out the affidavit, he said: “You have deceived the affidavit. I am surprised who drafted it.” Mr Rohatgi said there had been a “mistake”, to which the court responded “very Small words”.

Justice Amanullah asked whether the apology was “sincere”. “What more needs to be said, your lords, we will. He is not a professional litigant. People make mistakes in life!” Mr Rohatgi replied. “Even after we gave the order? We don’t want to be so generous in this case,” the bench said.

The court said a message needed to be conveyed to society at large. “(This) is not just an FMCG but a violation of the law. Looking at your reply to the state authorities when they asked you to withdraw, you said the HC said no enforcement action was taken against us. We are taking it as part of your conduct , the bigger picture is your behavior towards the public at large, but you said it was in good faith.”

The court then approached the Uttarakhand government questioning why the license inspector failed to take action and sought immediate suspension of the three officials. The court said state officials took no action. “We strongly object to the use of the word ‘goodwill’ towards officers. We do not take this lightly. We will tear you to pieces,” it said.

“In 2021, the ministry wrote to the Uttarakhand Licensing Authority against a misleading advertisement. In response, the company responded to the licensing authority. However, the authority issued a warning to the company. 1954 The Act does not provide for a warning and does not provide for aggravation of the offence,” the court said.

“This has happened six times, back and forth, with the licensing inspector remaining silent. The officer did not report. The subsequent appointee also took the same action. All three officers should now be suspended,” it said, adding that the licensing agency “colluded with the opponents.”

The justices said the Supreme Court was being mocked. “You are acting like a post office. Have you taken legal advice? You are disgraceful,” it told the state licensing department. “Why do we not agree that you are closely associated with Patanjali,” the court asked the licensing body, adding, “You are playing with people’s lives”.

When Uttarakhand’s lawyers told the court they would take action, Justice Kohli said: “Thank God now you finally wake up and realize there is a statute.”

“What about the unknown people who took these Patanjali medicines which are said to cure incurable diseases? Can you do this to a common man?” the court said. The issuing agency apologized to the court and assured that they would deal with the matter.