SC closes contempt proceedings against former IMA Chief R V Asokan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday closed contempt proceedings against former Indian Medical Association (IMA) president R V Asokan as he tendered unconditional apology over his comments on the apex court made in April, 2024.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, having gone through the affidavits filed by Asokan and his unconditional apology, opined no further action was contemplated.

Senior advocate P S Patwalia, appearing for Asokan, said his client had filed affidavits tendering apology in the apex court.

"I (Asokan) have published it in the newspapers. I have published it on the website. It is on IMA newsletter also and I have placed the newspapers also on record," he said.

On May 14, 2024, the Supreme Court had reproached Asokan for making an "attack" on the institution by his remarks in an ongoing contempt proceedings against Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Patanjali's MD Acharya Balkrishna in a misleading advertisements case.

In his statement, Asokan had reportedly criticised the Supreme Court for taking a "broadside" against the medical profession of the country which sacrificed so many lives for the Covid war.

The matter arose out a petition filed by the IMA in 2022 alleging a smear campaign by Patanjali and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev against the Covid vaccination drive and modern systems of medicine.