Credit: X/@ANI
Yog guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved's Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna arrive at the Supreme Court to attend the hearing relating to misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved.
"We will rip you apart", SC had warned the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority in its last hearing slamming it for inaction over misleading advertisements issued by Patanjali Ayurved.
In the previous hearing, the SC refused to accept the affidavits of yoga guru Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurved managing director Balkrishna tendering unconditional apologies over publishing misleading advertisements, asserting the apologies were "on paper" and the court doesn't want to be "so generous".
Here is what happened in the last hearing:
"We will rip you apart", the Supreme Court warned the Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority on Wednesday slamming it for inaction over misleading advertisements issued by Patanjali Ayurved.
The apex court said the Authority remained in "deep slumber" and there was a clear attempt by it to "pass the buck" and somehow delay the matter despite it being informed about the misleading advertisements.
"Why should we not think that you were in cahoots with the contemnor respondents and you were keeping your eyes shut deliberately?" a bench of justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told the counsel appearing for the Authority.
Coming down heavily on the state licensing body, the bench said it was "appalled to note that except for pushing the files", the Authority has done nothing.
"In all these four-five years, the State Licensing Authority has remained in deep slumber," the bench said.
The bench asked why the officer of the licensing authority and district Ayurvedic and Unani officers should not be suspended for their inaction.
When the Authority's counsel referred to the bona fides of its officers, an anguished bench said, "Bona fide you say? We will rip you apart on bona fide. We will rip you apart".
The top court said that in its opinion nine months is enough time for the officer to have acted in accordance with law.
The bench said it appeared that his predecessor was "equally complicit" in light of the same inaction during his tenure.
What did the SC say to the unconditional apology offered by Ramdev and Patanjali MD in the last session?
The Supreme Court refused to accept the affidavits of yoga guru Ramdev and his close aide Balkrishna of Patanjali Ayurved tendering unconditional apologies for publishing "misleading" advertisements, asserting the court doesn't want to be "so generous" as they were issued after the duo was caught with their "back against the wall".
"The apologies that are on record are on paper. We think that having been caught on the wrong foot and noticing that their back is actually against the wall and having gone to town saying all kind of things on the very next day of the order passed where your counsel had given undertaking, we don't accept this affidavit," the bench said.
"We decline to accept or condone it. We consider it a wilful and deliberate violation of the order and the breach of the undertaking… We decline to accept this affidavit," it said.
The bench observed it is not convinced with the affidavits filed by Ramdev and Balkrishna.
"We are wondering why should we not treat your apologies with the same disdain that you showed to your undertaking and the orders of this court," Justice Kohli said.
Bench assembles to hear Patanjali's misleading ads case
Matter taken up
I am ready to give a public apology to show contrition. We claim that we have an alternative system of medicine: Advocate Rohatgi appearing for Patanjali
Sr Counsel Vipin Sanghi and Balbir Singh also present in court for the alleged contemnors.
(Source: Bar and Bench)
The bench has risen for a few minutes due to technical glitch
Bench resumes its hearing
Ramdev urges bench to accept 'unconditional apology' for his mistake
Justice Kohli directly interacts with Ramdev, Yoga Guru says he has never done criticised anyone
We should not have done what we did, we will remember this next time, says Ramdev
Publicizing medicines is not permitted says Justice Kohli reprimanding Baba Ramdev.
Bench calls out Patanjali for its 'careless mistake against the law'. Baba Ramdev acknowledges it, says happened because of excitement towards work
'We are not justifying, we are apologising,' says Baba Ramdev
We will put on another date. Say what you have to. We will keep on April 23rd.
Mr Rohatgi appeared for the proposed contemnors submits that to redeem themselves and demonstrate their own bona fides, the proposed contemnors will take some steps on their own initiative and unilaterally. he requests one week time to come back with the same. the court also interacted with the proposed contemnors at the request of respondents 5-6. List on April 23, top of the list. Make sure both the proposed contemnors are present on the next date.
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