SC imposes 1 crore fine on Patanjali
The Supreme Court issued a caution to Patanjali Ayurved, led by yoga guru Ramdev, regarding “misleading” claims in advertisements. The court stated that a fine of Rs 1 crore would be considered for every product making a false claim about curing a specific ailment. This decision came during the hearing of a plea by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against Patanjali’s alleged smear campaign targeting the vaccination drive and modern medicines. The Supreme Court had earlier issued notices to Patanjali Ayurved, the Union health ministry, and the Ministry of Ayush in response to the IMA’s plea.
The court instructed Patanjali Ayurved to halt all “false and misleading” advertisements immediately. Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra, comprising the bench, emphasized the seriousness of any infraction and urged Patanjali not to publish misleading claims against modern systems of medicine. The Supreme Court also indicated the possibility of imposing a Rs 1 crore fine on each product making false curative claims. The court highlighted the need to address misleading medical advertisements that assert perfect cures for certain diseases, instructing the counsel for the Centre to find a solution. The plea by the IMA is scheduled for further hearing on February 5.
