Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, co-founders of the Patanjali Ayurved Limited, have moved the Kerala High Court to recall an arrest warrant issued against them. The warrant was issued by a local court in Kerala after Patanjali’s advertisements were deemed misleading and violating the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The advertisements in question claimed that Patanjali’s products, including its yoga drinks and energy bars, had miraculous health benefits, such as curing diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer. The Kerala Food Safety Commissioner had taken cognizance of the ads and issued a show-cause notice to Patanjali, asking it to explain why its products should not be banned.
Patanjali, however, denied any wrongdoing and moved the High Court, seeking to recall the arrest warrant. The company’s counsel argued that the warrant was issued without giving Patanjali a proper opportunity to respond to the allegations and that the court’s jurisdiction was not territorial, making it improper to issue an arrest warrant.
The Kerala High Court has adjourned the hearing on the matter to March 16, allowing Patanjali’s counsel to file additional documents in support of their plea. The court has also asked the Kerala Food Safety Commissioner to file a counter-affidavit explaining why the arrest warrant was issued.
This is not the first time Patanjali has faced controversy over its advertisements. The company has been accused of making false claims about its products and has faced lawsuits and regulatory actions in various states in India.
The Patanjali case highlights the importance of ensuring that advertisements are truthful and not misleading, particularly in the context of healthcare products. Misleading advertisements can cause harm to consumers, who may rely on false claims and spend money on products that do not deliver the promised benefits.
In conclusion, the case against Patanjali is a wake-up call for the company to be more transparent and honest in its advertising practices. The company must ensure that its advertisements comply with the Food Safety and Standards Act and other relevant regulations, and that its products deliver on their promises. The Kerala High Court’s intervention is a necessary step to ensure that the law is upheld and consumers are protected from misleading advertisements.