Patanjali in trouble : Kerala Court issues Arrest warrant against Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna and Divya Pharmacy
Patanjali Ayurveda has experienced remarkable success since its inception in 1995, primarily due to its strong focus on Ayurveda, Indian traditional medicine, and natural products.
Patanjali in trouble : Patanjali’s face and Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and his Patanjali company have found is in legal trouble in Kerala, as a Kerala court issued a bailable arrest warrant against Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Divya Pharmacy that are the marketing arm of Patanjali Ayurveda. Baba Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishna, and Patanjali Ayurveda face charges for misleading ads claiming their products could cure conditions like diabetes and Covid-19. These claims violate the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The court issued a bailable arrest warrant after their failure to appear.
The case, which was registered in October 2024, accuses Patanjali of promoting healthcare products with unsubstantiated claims. Despite summons from the court, none of the accused appeared for the January hearing, prompting the court to issue the warrant. The case is now scheduled for February 1.
Here is the news video of the same :
In total, at least 10 cases have been filed against Patanjali in Kerala alone, which have multiple instances of non-appearance by the Patanjali.
Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali has long been a household name in India, leveraging his popularity as a yoga guru to sell everything from herbal medicines to toothpaste. But there are many controversies surrounding the brand serving as the critics which argue that while Patanjali markets itself as a king of Ayurvedic tradition, some ethical boundaries has been caused by the brand by making outrageous health claims.
Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan stressed the importance of enforcing laws such as the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and the Consumer Protection Act.
The company initially gained popularity with its herbal healthcare products but has since expanded into multiple segments:
- Food products (like honey, juices, ghee, and snacks)
- Personal care (soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc.)
- Home care (detergents, cleaners)
- Pharmaceuticals (Ayurvedic medicines) This diversification has helped Patanjali appeal to a wide range of consumers.
Patanjali, a household name in India, has faced criticism for its health claims despite its success in marketing Ayurvedic products.
