The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna's "unconditional apology" in connection with the misleading advertisements of Patanjali's medicinal products. A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah came down heavily on Patanjali, saying their actions were "wilful, deliberate and repeated violations" of the top court's orders.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Patanjali founders, said to the bench that people make mistakes in life. However, the top court rebuked the lawyer, responding that in such cases, individuals need to suffer. "We are not blinded...We don't want to be generous in this case," the bench noted.
During today's hearing, when advocate Rohatgi read out two affidavits submitted by Patanjali and its MD - Acharya Balkrishna - and another by Baba Ramdev.
"The apology is on paper. Their back is against the wall. We decline to accept this, we consider it a deliberate violation of undertaking. Be ready for something next to rejection of the affidavit," The Supreme Court said.
The bench also pulled up Baba Ramdev, mentioning his seeking exemption from court appearance, citing overseas travel plans, and then filing a backdated ticket in the affidavit.
"In contempt matter, when you seek exemption saying I have a ticket to travel abroad, then you are saying I don't have it? You're taking the process very lightly," the bench warned, calling the incident "perjury" in court.
