Uttarakhand licensing body apologises before Supreme Court in Patanjali case

The Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority recently apologised before the Supreme Court for its unsatisfactory action against Patanjali Ayurved for the misleading advertisements published by the latter against evidence-based medicine. 

In the affidavit, the Uttarakhand body mentioned that it has filed a criminal complaint against Patanjali Ayurveda and its founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act. The affidavit was lodged through Advocate Vanshaja Shukla on Saturday.

The affidavit stated that the State Licensing Authority has been vigilant in its duties and has taken appropriate steps to ensure due compliance under the said Acts and Rules. It added that the State Licensing Authority also has a family to look after and therefore any observations made by the court will have a detrimental effect on his career. It further maintained that the authority herein is completely aware of the gravity of the situation and seriousness of the matter at hand and has always endeavored to discharge its duties to the best of its capacity and in accordance with law.

Notably, the affidavit was filed in response to a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against an alleged smear campaign carried out by Patanjali and its founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna against the COVID-19 vaccination drive and modern medicine.

The Supreme Court had earlier pulled up the Uttarakhand government and the licensing body for being hand-in-glove with errant licensing officers who failed to take action against Patanjali Ayurved. The affidavit asserted that the authority will continue to take all due steps against Patanjali Ayurved Limited.

The affidavit further read that the Licensing Authority tenders an unconditional and unqualified apology against any inadvertent and unintentional non-compliance with the orders of the court. It ensured that the authority would commit no deliberate or wilful act which would disobey any orders of the court or undermine its majesty.

Furthermore, it also mentioned that the manufacturing licenses for 14 of Patanjali’s products have been suspended with immediate effect under Rule 159(1) of The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.  It also added that it has informed the Union AYUSH Ministry of the action taken by it against the Indian multinational company on April 24.

Earlier in November 2023, the Supreme Court had threatened to impose costs of Rs 1 crore per false claim made in each advertisement that claimed that Patanjali products would cure diseases. The apex court had directed Patanjali not to publish false advertisements in the future.