Patanjali Ayurved told the Supreme Court that it is committed to adhering to all laws governing its advertising practices and will not engage in any violations.
In November, the apex court instructed the Baba Ramdev-led company to cease all misleading advertisements, warning that any false or deceptive claims by the company could incur a penalty of INR 1 crore for each such assertion.
Continue Exploring: SC warns Patanjali over ‘false’ advertising claims
“Patanjali assures the court that henceforth there shall not be any violation of any laws, especially relating to advertising or branding of products manufactured and marketed by it,” Patanjali told the court during a hearing.
Additionally, its legal counsel affirmed in court after the November warning that no informal statements asserting medicinal efficacy or opposing any system of medicine would be disseminated to the media in any format. The counsel reassured that Patanjali was firmly committed to such an assurance.
A spokesperson from Patanjali Ayurved mentioned that the matter is sub judice and declined to provide any further comments.
Legal experts emphasize that failing to uphold a commitment made in court could result in severe consequences.
“Any assurance or undertaking to the court adds a greater obligation on the company to comply with all applicable laws,” said Bharat Chugh, an advocate and former judge. “If an assurance or undertaking is given to the court, and then if there’s any non-compliance, the court can even initiate action for contempt of court, the consequences of which are very grave.”
Baba Ramdev Defends Patanjali Ayurved Against False Propaganda:
A day after the Supreme Court issued the warning in November, Baba Ramdev denied the allegation of false propaganda, and said, “If we are spreading false claims, give the death penalty.”
Continue Exploring: Patanjali ready to face penalties if found guilty of ‘false advertisements’, says Baba Ramdev
In response to a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association, which represents over 350,000 members of modern medicine doctors, the Supreme Court ordered Patanjali to discontinue misleading advertisements. The petition contended that Patanjali’s ads “falsely claim to cure certain diseases.”
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 6.
