The Bench was hearing a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against an alleged smear campaign carried out by Patanjali and its founders against the COVID-19 vaccination drive and modern medicine.
The Court was informed today that Patanjali has now published public apologies in 67 newspapers over its conduct.
“Was it of the same size as your earlier ads?” Justice Kohli asked.
Notably, the Court had earlier expressed that they were dissatisfied with the casual apology affidavits filed by Patanjali Ayurved as well as Ramdev and Balkrishna after they were pulled up for failing to stop carrying misleading advertisements.
In the last hearing, the Court personally interacted with Ramdev and Balkrishna to gauge the genuineness of their apologies, while making it clear that they were not out of the woods yet.
At the time, the duo assured the Court (through their counsel) that they would voluntarily take steps to prove the genuineness of their apology.
Appearing for Ramdev today, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi told the Court that prominent apologies had been published in newspapers.
“It costs a lot.. Lakhs of rupees,” he added.
In today’s order, the Court directed that additional ads be issued by Patanjali and its promoters, to further show their unqualified apology for their lapses.
Source: Barandbench
