The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed displeasure at the the size of the apology issued by Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurveda in certain newspapers yesterday for running misleading advertisements. The court also posed many tough questions to the Centre and asked it to come prepared in next hearing with answers.
Patanjali Ayurved published an advertisement in certain newspapers yesterday apologizing for the “mistake of publishing advertisements and holding a press conference even after our advocates made a statement in the apex court”.
Bench presided by Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah heard the matter and asked Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi why there was such a big difference in the size of apolgy and and the misleading advertisements.
The court had pulled up Baba Ramdev and Patanjali MD Balakrishna over contempt of court for holding press conference and giving misleading advertisemnets even after filing undertaking in the court.
Ramdev and Patanjali MD Acharya Balkrishna were personally present before the court today.’
Justice Kohli remarked at the outset of hearing: “You have not done anything!”
Rohatgi said, “We have published an apology.”
Justice Kohli asked, “Where? Why filed yesterday after one week? Is the apology the same size as your advertisements?”
Rohatgi ultimately told the court that Patanjali will issue fresh and bigger apologies in newspaper. The court adjourned the matter till next hearing.
