Supreme Court rebukes Baba Ramdev again: You are not so innocent

Yoga guru Ramdev and his aide Balkrishna are in the Supreme Court today as it hears the contempt case against Patanjali Ayurved in connection with its misleading ads and Covid cure claims.The bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Justice A Amanullah called the Patanjali founders forward and told them they have made significant contribution to yoga. "We respect what you have done for yoga," the bench said.

The court pointed to their "attitude" and questioned why they shot down other systems of medicine to stress the benefits of Ayurveda. Justice Amanullah said that the "law is the same for everybody".

The yoga guru told the court that they offered an "unconditional apology for the mistakes we made". What we did at the time was not correct. We will kept it in mind in the future," he added.

The bench, however, said that the "law is equal for everyone. Whatever you did, you did all this following your undertaking and our order. You know you can't advertise about incurable diseases?"

To this, Ramdev replied that they conducted many tests.

"This is irresponsible behaviour. Previous history of yours is damaging. We will think over it, whether to accept your apology or not. Aapne lagatar violations kiye (you have made repeated violations)," Justice Kohli said. On his part, Justice Amanullah said, "Aap dil se mafi nahe maang rahe hail (Your apology is not coming from your heart). This is not done."

The court said it will consider the matter in the light of all the earlier developments. "We have not decided whether to forgive you or not. You have violated (directives) thrice. The earlier orders are under our consideration. You are not so innocent that you did not know what's happening in court," the court said, adding that the next hearing will be held on April 23. Ramdev and Balkrishna have been asked to appear in the court again and take steps to demonstrate their intent. 

Speaking to the media outside the court, Ramdev said, "I have said what I had to. I have full faith in the judiciary."

The court has earlier rejected two sets of apologies by Ramdev and Balkrishna, noting that the letters were sent to the media first. "Till the matter hit the court, the contemnors did not find it fit to send us the affidavits. They believe in publicity clearly," Justice Hima Kohli said last week.