The Supreme Court has dismissed the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) petition against Patanjali, concerning misleading advertisements related to traditional medicine. The case originated when the IMA approached the court, alleging that Patanjali’s advertisements made deceptive claims and disparaged modern medicine. This case also has a specific background.
On July 1, 2024, the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) modified a rule related to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Before this change, companies were required to obtain prior approval from state licensing authorities before advertising Ayurvedic, Siddha, or Unani medicines to prevent false or exaggerated claims. However, this requirement was removed after the modification.
In August 2024, the case came before a separate Supreme Court bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta. This bench stayed the changes, temporarily reinstating the need for approval. However, Justice K.V. Viswanathan questioned how a state government could implement a rule that the central government had already removed. Justice B.V. Nagarathna then suggested closing the case.
The court further stated that it does not have the authority to reinstate a provision that the central government has removed. Previously, the court had issued directions regarding misleading advertisements, the inaction of regulatory authorities against Patanjali, and the key figures of Patanjali – Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna. The court initiated contempt proceedings against Patanjali Ayurved, which were later closed.