In a recent contempt case hearing involving Patanjali Ayurved, the court learned that the company published apologies in 67 newspapers.
Representing Patanjali, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi informed the bench about the cost of the advertisements. This discussion occurred with Patanjali's co-founder Baba Ramdev and Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna present, following earlier court directives.
The bench, adjourning the hearing till April 30, requested Patanjali's lawyers to provide copies of the apology ads for scrutiny.
Emphasising the importance of clarity in advertising, the bench urged against enlarging the ads and said that the public should be able to read the same without a microscope.
On April 16, Ramdev and Balkrishna unconditionally apologised before the Supreme Court for previous misleading advertisements and comments against allopathic medicines. Ramdev pledged to be more mindful in the future.
This case stemmed from allegations of misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved, Ramdev, and Balkrishna. Despite previous apologies, the court expressed dissatisfaction and rejected their affidavits, citing concerns over ongoing misleading practices.
Additionally, the court criticised the Uttarakhand government for its alleged complicity with licensing officers who failed to address Patanjali's misleading ads.
The court had previously directed Patanjali to refrain from false advertising and subsequently issued contempt notices when this directive was violated.
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