New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Tuesday praised the “remarkable improvement” in the unconditional public apology published in newspapers by yoga guru Ramdev, his associate Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd in the misleading advertising case. A bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing in the court on behalf of Ramdev, Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurveda Limited, that the language of the apology is fine and the names are also present in it.
Justice Amanullah said, “I don’t know whose investigation is into the second apology. There has been a significant improvement in this.” He said, “We appreciate it. Now finally they understand.” He said that earlier when the apology was published, only the name of the company was given in it. Justice Amanullah said, “Now the names have also been published. This is a significant improvement, we appreciate it. The language is also fine.”
During the hearing, the apex court asked the pharmaceutical company’s counsel as to why they filed the apology published in newspapers through digital medium, whereas on April 23, the court had specifically said that the original copy had to be filed. Justice Kohli said, “This is not in compliance with our order.” Justice Amanullah said, “Mr. Rohatgi, it seems my point did not reach you… it has gone too far.”
The bench noted in its order that Patanjali’s counsel has admitted that there was a misunderstanding in understanding the order passed by the court and granted one more opportunity to file the original pages of each of the newspapers in which the apology has been published. should go. The bench said, “The Registry is directed to accept this document once it is filed.” The court fixed the hearing of the matter for May 7.
Rohatgi requested to exempt Ramdev and Balkrishna from appearing in the court on the next date of hearing. The bench said, “This exemption is granted for the next date of hearing.” The top court is hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 2022, alleging that a campaign was launched to defame the Covid vaccination drive and modern medicine. While hearing the case on April 23, the top court had said that public apologies published in newspapers are not on record. The court had directed to file it within two days.
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Tags: baba ramdev, Patanjali, Supreme Court
FIRST PUBLISHED: April 30, 2024, 22:21 IST