An arrest warrant has been issued against Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Divya Pharmacy following a major claim made by Patanjali, leading to bigger problems for the company.
Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Patanjali Ayurved are facing charges for misleading ads claiming their products could treat conditions like diabetes and Covid-19. These claims go against the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act of 1954. The court issued a bailable arrest warrant after they failed to show up in court.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his Patanjali brand are facing legal trouble again, this time in Kerala. A court in Palakkad issued a bailable arrest warrant against Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Divya Pharmacy (Patanjali’s marketing branch) after they did not attend a court hearing on January 16. This is the first warrant of its kind for them in Kerala and is an important development in their legal issues related to misleading advertising claims.
The case, filed in October 2024, accuses Patanjali of advertising health products with unproven claims. The ads allegedly promised cures for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, which violates the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. Despite being summoned, the accused did not attend the January hearing, leading the court to issue a warrant. The next hearing is set for February 1. The ads in question falsely claimed to cure diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and Covid-19.
Legal cases Against the Products
This is not an isolated case. According to several media reports, Baba Ramdev and his team are facing similar legal challenges in Kozhikode and Haridwar, Uttarakhand. Altogether, at least 10 cases have been filed against them in Kerala, including four in Kozhikode, three in Palakkad, two in Ernakulam, and one in Thiruvananthapuram. Their repeated absence from court hearings indicates a possible pattern of avoidance, which has frustrated the judiciary.
The Kerala court’s action comes after a stern warning from the Supreme Court on January 15. The Supreme Court cautioned states and union territories about potential contempt charges for delaying legal action against individuals and companies promoting false medical claims. Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized the need to enforce laws like the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and Consumer Protection Act, criticizing the lack of seriousness in addressing misleading advertisements.
The Criticism Against Patanjal and Baba Ramdev
Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali, a popular brand in India, has been criticized for making unproven health claims despite promoting itself as a leader in Ayurvedic products. This raises concerns about accountability in health-related advertising, especially when misleading ads target vulnerable consumers. While Patanjali has captured a significant market share, these legal challenges are testing the brand’s credibility. The growing number of cases highlights the pressure on Patanjali to prove its claims or face consequences. The legal actions signal a potential end to unchecked advertising, with a clear message to Baba Ramdev and Patanjali: face the legal proceedings or suffer the repercussions.
