SC directs Uttarakhand Govt. to decide on banning of Patanjali products
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday instructed the Uttarakhand government to make a decision regarding the suspension of 14 products by Patanjali Ayurved within two weeks, as reported by Live Law.
A bench comprising Justices Hima Kohli and Sandeep Mehta directed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government to resolve the matter promptly. The Uttarakhand State Licensing Authority for Ayurvedic and Unani Services had previously suspended the licenses on April 29, citing repeated violations of the 1945 Drugs and Cosmetic Rules by Patanjali Ayurved.
The 14 suspended products include Swasari Gold, Swasari Vati, Bronchom, Swasari Pravahi, Swasari Avaleh, Mukta Vati Extra Power, Lipidom, Bp Grit, Madhugrit, Madhunashini Vati Extra Power, Livamrit Advance, Livogrit, Eyegrit Gold, and Patanjali Drishti Eye Drop. During a previous hearing on July 9, Patanjali Ayurved informed the court that it had instructed 5,606 franchise stores to withdraw these products.
Additionally, Patanjali stated that media platforms were directed to remove advertisements for the 14 products. The court had asked Patanjali Ayurved to file an affidavit within two weeks, confirming whether social media intermediaries had complied with the withdrawal of advertisements. At Tuesday's hearing, the Indian Medical Association reported that the 14 products were still available over the counter, despite Patanjali's earlier claim of halting their manufacturing.
Patanjali then informed the court that the state government had canceled the suspension order on July 1, following a committee's review of the matter, according to Live Law. The bench was hearing a petition filed by the Indian Medical Association, which accused Patanjali Ayurved of conducting a "smear campaign" against modern medicine and the Covid-19 vaccination drive.
In a related development, the Delhi High Court on Monday ordered Ramdev to remove social media posts promoting Patanjali's Coronil as a Covid-19 cure within three days, as reported by PTI. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani issued the direction while hearing a plea from several doctors' associations, who claimed Ramdev made "unsubstantiated claims" about Coronil being a cure for Covid-19, contrary to its approved use as an immunity booster.
Furthermore, the Bombay High Court imposed a Rs 4 crore fine on Patanjali Ayurved on Monday for violating a 2023 interim order that restrained the company from selling camphor products, reported The Hindu. Justice R.I. Chagla noted Patanjali's "wilful and deliberate breach" of the court’s order and directed the company to deposit the amount within two weeks. Previously, on July 8, the Bombay High Court had directed Patanjali to pay Rs 50 lakh for violating the order barring it from selling camphor products.