The Supreme Court today clarified that it is not dealing with Patanjali as a standalone entity; rather, the Court’s concern, in the public interest, extends to all those Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies that publish misleading advertisements. The court was hearing the contempt case pending against Patanjali Ayurved over the publication of misleading advertisements.

Questioning Baba Ramdev and his associate Acharya Balkrishna, the Supreme Court asked if the apology published by the group in newspapers was as big and expensive as its usual front-page advertisements for herbal drugs.

The Court also cautioned the petitioner, the Indian Medical Association, with regard to complaints of unethical practices by allopathic doctors.

Further, the Supreme Court directed central ministries to file affidavits regarding actions taken by the government on misleading advertisements over the past three years.

The Indian Medical Association has moved the court against Patanjali Ayurved for publishing advertisements claiming cures for diseases and running a smear campaign against modern medicine.