Patanjali Misleading Advertisements Case: The Supreme Court on Wednesday strongly criticised Uttarakhand government's drug licensing authority, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), questioning why and how it neglected to take action against misleading advertisements by Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved, especially for Coronil, a product promoted as a ‘cure’ for Covid-19.
Coming down heavily on the state’s drug license authority for its inaction on the issue, a bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said that it is not going to take the matter lightly. We will rip you apart," said the bench in an unusually stern reprimand. The top court also slammed the government, saying that the officers were just ‘pushing files’.
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At one point the Joint Director of the state’s Food and Drug Administration, Dr Mithilesh Kumar, pleaded for mercy with his folded hands. “Please spare me..." Dr Kumar told the apex court, adding "I came in June 2023... this happened before me."
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However, the court stood firm and said, “Why should we? How did you have the guts to do this? What action did you take?" Justice Kohli asked. "One man seeks mercy (but) what about innocent people who took these medicines?"
Following its stern reprimand of Patanjali Ayurved and its co-founders, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balakrishna, for repeatedly violating court orders and submitting improper affidavits, the top court reportedly suspended three officers of the drug license authority.
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"No... now you just sit at home for a few days. Or you can sit in the office and write letters. You are playing with the public's health!" the court responded curtly to Dr Kumar, as quoted by NDTV.
The top court’s scathing attack on the state drug authority came after last week’s condemnation of Patanjali Ayurved's co-founders for their "absolute defiance" of the highest court. Meanwhile, Yoga guru Ramdev and Balkrishna have tendered an "unconditional and unqualified apology" to the Supreme Court over advertisements issued by the firm, claiming the medicinal efficacy of its products.
Earlier on February 27, the apex court had directed Patanjali to immediately stop disseminating all electronic and print advertisements, giving misleading information. The Patanjali co-founders had signed an affidavit agreeing to do so, but advertisements making such claims were reportedly continued to be released.