In a recent development, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, co-founders of Patanjali Ayurved, have approached the Judicial First-Class Magistrate Court-II in Palakkad, Kerala, seeking to recall non-bailable arrest warrants issued against them. These warrants were issued after the duo failed to appear for court hearings related to allegations of publishing misleading medical advertisements.

The case was initiated by the Drugs Inspector of Palakkad against Divya Pharmacy, an affiliate of Patanjali Ayurved, accusing them of violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The allegations pertain to advertisements that claimed certain products could cure diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes, which is prohibited under the Act.

Initially, the court had issued bailable warrants when Ramdev and Balkrishna did not appear for the hearing on January 16, 2025. Upon their subsequent absence on February 1, 2025, the court escalated the matter by issuing non-bailable warrants to ensure their presence. In response, the duo filed an application under Section 205 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking exemption from personal appearance and requesting representation through their legal counsel. The court has scheduled the hearing for this application on February 11, 2025.

This is not the first instance where Patanjali Ayurved and its founders have faced legal scrutiny over their advertising practices. In August 2024, the Supreme Court of India closed contempt proceedings against Ramdev and Balkrishna after they tendered an apology for publishing misleading advertisements that disparaged allopathy and made unverified claims about curing certain diseases. The court accepted their apology but cautioned against future violations.

The outcome of the February 11 hearing will determine whether the non-bailable warrants against Ramdev and Balkrishna will be recalled. This case underscores the ongoing legal challenges faced by Patanjali Ayurved concerning its advertising practices and the importance of adhering to regulatory standards in medical advertising.

Key Highlights:

• Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna have filed an application in a Palakkad court to recall non-bailable warrants issued against them for failing to appear in a case alleging misleading medical advertisements.
• The case, filed by the Drugs Inspector of Palakkad, accuses Divya Pharmacy of violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
• The court has scheduled a hearing for their application on February 11, 2025.
• Previously, in August 2024, the Supreme Court closed contempt proceedings against the duo after they apologized for similar allegations.