SC Castigates Centre For Inaction Against Patanjali Ayurved

The Supreme Court of India, on February 27, castigated the Union Government due to its inaction against Patanjali Ayurved under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act 1954 for misleading advertisements wherein the brand had claimed that its products could cure various diseases.

Bench comprising Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah heard a plea preferred by Indian Medical Association in the year 2021 claiming that Patanjali Ayurved was indulging in misleading and baseless claims and therefore it beseeched the Government of India and its agencies to take action against the company.

The Bench took strong exception to the fact that despite more than two years being elapsed since the filing of the plea by the Association, no action had been taken by the Centre.

On the last date of hearing in November 2023, the Apex Court had instructed the Additional Solicitor General to delve into the misleading advertisements of Patanjali and confer with relevant authorities to check the efficacy of the medicines being produced by Patanjali. However, no action had been taken in this regard.

Hence, the Supreme Court directed filing of a detailed affidavit by the Union of India describing the steps taken by it as per the Court's order in November 2023.

Source: Live Law