Yoga guru and businessman Baba Ramdev has been accused of misleading advertising in 26 cases across various courts in the state of Kerala, India. The accusations are related to his ayurvedic products and the advertising of their alleged “miracle cures” for various diseases. The charges were filed under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act of 1954, which regulates the advertising of drugs and prohibits the advertisement of products that claim to have “magic” qualities.
The affidavit submitted by the Drugs Controller in the Drugs Control Department of Kerala to the Supreme Court on February 20 stated that Baba Ramdev’s company, Patanjali Ayurved Limited, has violated the DMR Act. The company’s advertisements in various newspapers in Kerala, including Mathrubhumi, Malayala Manorama, and the Hindu, were found to be misleading and exaggerated, claiming that their products could cure and prevent certain diseases.
As a result, legal proceedings were initiated against 31 publications, including the newspapers that carried the misleading advertisements, as well as against the company, Patanjali Ayurved Limited. So far, 26 cases have been registered, with 5 cases delayed due to the refusal of the print media to cooperate.
The authorities have issued non-bailable warrants for Baba Ramdev and his business partner, Acharya Balkrishna, in one case, and have asked Ramdev to personally appear before the court in another. Overall, the state of Kerala has filed 116 prosecution cases under the DMR Act from 2016 to 2025, with 32 convictions secured so far and the remaining cases ongoing.