New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday lauded 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 Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev, Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd, that the language of the apology was sufficient and it also contained names.
Justice Amanullah said, "I don't know whose investigation the second amnesty is on. There is a lot of improvement in it." “We appreciate it,” he said.Now they finally understand.”
He said that earlier when the apology letter was published, it contained only the name of the company.
"Now the names have come. It is a remarkable improvement, we appreciate it, the language is adequate," Justice Amanullah said.
During the hearing, the top court asked the company's counsel as to why they had e-filed the apology published in newspapers, while the court had specifically said on April 2 that the original apology had to be filed.“This is not in compliance with our order,” Justice Kohli said.
Justice Amanullah said, "Mr Rohatgi, the lack of communication is too much... Speaking for yourself, raise your hands now. There is too much negligence."
The bench, in its order, said that the company's counsel has admitted that there has been some misunderstanding by his brief counsel regarding the orders passed by the court and another opportunity should be given to comply with the order by filing the original page of each newspaper . A public apology has been published.,
"The registry is directed to accept the said document upon filing," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on May 7.
Rohatgi sought exemption from personal appearance of Ramdev and Balkrishna for the next hearing of the case.
“The exemption is limited to the next date of hearing,” the bench said.
The top court is hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association in 2022, alleging a defamation campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and the modern system of medicine.Hearing the case on April 23, the top court had said that the public apology published in newspapers was not on record and asked it to be filed within two days.
Patanjali Ayurveda Limited had assured the top court on November 21 last year that it will not violate any law, especially the law relating to advertising or branding of the products manufactured and marketed by it.
It had also assured the bench that "no incidental statement claiming efficacy of the medicine or against any system of medicine will be released in the media".
The top court had said that Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd "is bound by such assurance".
His non-compliance with the specific undertaking and the subsequent media statement had irked the bench, which later issued notice to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.On March 19, the apex court had directed Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd Managing Director Balkrishna to appear before the court objecting to the company's failure to respond to the notice issued in the case related to advertisements of its products. and their medicinal efficacy.
The apex court had said that it thought it appropriate to issue a show cause notice to Ramdev as the advertisements released by Patanjali, which were in line with the promise given to the court on November 21, 2023, showed its support.
A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ramdev, Balkrishna and Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd, that the language of the apology was sufficient and it also contained names.
Justice Amanullah said, "I don't know whose investigation the second amnesty is on. There is a lot of improvement in it." “We appreciate it,” he said.Now they finally understand.”
He said that earlier when the apology letter was published, it contained only the name of the company.
"Now the names have come. It is a remarkable improvement, we appreciate it, the language is adequate," Justice Amanullah said.
During the hearing, the top court asked the company's counsel as to why they had e-filed the apology published in newspapers, while the court had specifically said on April 2 that the original apology had to be filed.“This is not in compliance with our order,” Justice Kohli said.
Justice Amanullah said, "Mr Rohatgi, the lack of communication is too much... Speaking for yourself, raise your hands now. There is too much negligence."
The bench, in its order, said that the company's counsel has admitted that there has been some misunderstanding by his brief counsel regarding the orders passed by the court and another opportunity should be given to comply with the order by filing the original page of each newspaper . A public apology has been published.,
"The registry is directed to accept the said document upon filing," the bench said and posted the matter for hearing on May 7.
Rohatgi sought exemption from personal appearance of Ramdev and Balkrishna for the next hearing of the case.
“The exemption is limited to the next date of hearing,” the bench said.
The top court is hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association in 2022, alleging a defamation campaign against the Covid vaccination drive and the modern system of medicine.Hearing the case on April 23, the top court had said that the public apology published in newspapers was not on record and asked it to be filed within two days.
Patanjali Ayurveda Limited had assured the top court on November 21 last year that it will not violate any law, especially the law relating to advertising or branding of the products manufactured and marketed by it.
It had also assured the bench that "no incidental statement claiming efficacy of the medicine or against any system of medicine will be released in the media".
The top court had said that Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd "is bound by such assurance".
His non-compliance with the specific undertaking and the subsequent media statement had irked the bench, which later issued notice to show cause why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him.On March 19, the apex court had directed Ramdev and Patanjali Ayurveda Ltd Managing Director Balkrishna to appear before the court objecting to the company's failure to respond to the notice issued in the case related to advertisements of its products. and their medicinal efficacy.
The apex court had said that it thought it appropriate to issue a show cause notice to Ramdev as the advertisements released by Patanjali, which were in line with the promise given to the court on November 21, 2023, showed its support.
