Court Issues Notice to Baba Ramdev And Acharya Balkrishna Over Divya Pharmacy Ads

Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, both directors of Divya Pharmacy, have been issued summons by a judicial magistrate court in Kozhikode regarding the advertisement of their products. Patanjali Foods Ltd. disclosed in a filing that the Court of Judicial First-Class Magistrate, Kozhikode, has ordered Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear in person or through counsel on July 6, 2024, concerning the promotion of ayurvedic medicines by Divya Pharmacy.

Patanjali’s Response

Patanjali. clarified that the summons pertains solely to Divya Pharmacy’s advertisements and are unrelated to Patanjali Foods. “Advertisements of ayurvedic medicines from Divya Pharmacy have no bearing on Patanjali Foods. Patanjali Foods is an independent listed entity and operates in the space of edible oil, food, FMCG products, oil palm plantation, and wind power only,” the company stated. 

Court Appearance Scheduled

The recent summons from the Kozhikode court required Ramdev and Balkrishna to address the concerns related to Divya Pharmacy’s advertisements on July 6, 2024. As the directors of Divya Pharmacy, their appearance in court is crucial in addressing the allegations and complying with judicial proceedings. Divya Pharmacy, a player in the Ayurvedic medicine market, has an extensive reach with its products available in over 10,000 retail outlets across India.

Previous Court Summons

This is not the first time Ramdev and Balkrishna have faced legal challenges over their ads. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court summoned the duo in a contempt case related to misleading claims in advertisements for products sold by Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. The case started in November 2023 when the IMA filed a petition against Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., accusing the company of making disparaging statements about allopathy and doctors in their ads.

Conclusion: In conclusion, Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna are set to appear before a judicial magistrate court in Kozhikode. This legal development follows a similar case earlier in the year, where the Supreme Court summoned them over misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. The Indian Medical Association’s petition against Patanjali brings out the ongoing scrutiny of ayurvedic medicine advertisements and their potential impact on public perception.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.