Judicial First Class Magistrate, Palakkad, Takes Action Over Alleged Violations of Drug and Magic Remedies Act
Palakkad, Kerala: The Judicial First Class Magistrate II Court in Palakkad has issued bailable warrants against Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, co-founders of Patanjali Ayurved, in connection with allegations of publishing misleading advertisements under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
The warrants, dated January 16, 2025, were issued after the accused failed to comply with the Court’s previous directive to appear in person.
The case pertains to advertisements published by Divya Pharmacy, an affiliate of Patanjali Ayurved, which allegedly disparaged modern medicine and made unsubstantiated claims about curing diseases.
Ongoing Legal Scrutiny on Patanjali Ayurved
Multiple criminal cases have been registered across Kerala against Divya Pharmacy, including one before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kozhikode. These cases allege violations of advertising norms and accuse the company of undermining allopathic treatments.
The matter has drawn significant national attention, with the Supreme Court previously stepping in following a plea filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
In August 2024, the apex court temporarily banned certain advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved and reprimanded its founders for misleading claims. The Court had observed that such actions were in violation of public trust and lacked scientific evidence.
Despite a subsequent apology and public clarifications issued by Ramdev and Balkrishna, the controversy around Patanjali’s advertising practices persists.
The apex court also directed the Central government to consider stricter enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, in such cases.
Legal and Judicial Implications
The ongoing case underscores the judiciary’s commitment to uphold the integrity of medical advertising and prevent public misinformation.
The Court’s order signals that non-compliance with judicial directives will invite strict legal consequences, even for high-profile individuals.
Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna are expected to comply with the warrant and address the allegations against them in the upcoming proceedings.
Case Details:
- Case Against: Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna
- Filed By: Judicial First Class Magistrate II, Palakkad
- Relevant Laws: Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954; Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945
- Pending Cases: Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kozhikode
