SC warns IMA president of serious consequences’ over critical comments

The Supreme Court on Tuesday acknowledged an “improvement” in Patanjali Ayurved’s approach as the company included cofounder Ramdev’s name in its public apology for previous misleading advertisements, while also warning the Indian Medical Association (IMA) president of serious consequences for his critical comments about the court.

A bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev, Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, that the language of the apology was adequate and the names were also there in it.

“I don’t know the second apology is on whose vetting. There has been marked improvement,” Justice Amanullah said, adding: “We appreciate that. Now finally they have understood.”

He said earlier when the apology was published, only the company’s name was there.

“Now the names have come. It is a marked improvement, we appreciate that,” Justice Amanullah observed, adding: “The language is adequate.”

The court has requested Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna to submit the original newspaper pages containing the public apology for the record. The matter is set for a hearing on May 7, with the court granting Ramdev and Balkrishna exemption from personal appearance at the next hearing.